TY - CONF A1 - Boehm, Rainer A1 - Heckel, Thomas ED - Bond, Leonard T1 - Simulation of Sparse Matrix Array Designs N2 - Matrix phased array probes are becoming more prominently used in industrial applications. The main drawbacks, using probes incorporating a very large number of transducer elements, are needed for an appropriate cabling and an ultrasonic device offering many parallel channels. Matrix arrays designed for extended functionality feature at least 64 or more elements. Typical arrangements are square matrices, e.g., 8 by 8 or 11 by 11 or rectangular matrixes, e.g., 8 by 16 or 10 by 12 to fit a 128-channel phased array system. In some phased array systems, the number of simultaneous active elements is limited to a certain number, e.g., 32 or 64. Those setups do not allow running the probe with all elements active, which may cause a significant change in the directivity pattern of the resulting sound beam. When only a subset of elements can be used during a single acquisition, different strategies may be applied to collect enough data for rebuilding the missing information from the echo signal. Omission of certain elements may be one approach, overlay of subsequent shots with different active areas may be another one. This paper presents the influence of a decreased number of active elements on the sound field and their distribution on the array. Solutions using subsets with different element activity patterns on matrix arrays and their advantages and disadvantages concerning the sound field are evaluated using semi-analytical simulation tools. Sound field criteria are discussed, which are significant for non-destructive testing results and for the system setup. T2 - QNDE 2017 CY - Utah, USA DA - 16.07.2017 KW - Imaging KW - Phased Array KW - Sparse Array KW - Matrix Array PY - 2018 DO - https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5031560 SP - 1949 EP - 1958 PB - AiP CY - Melville, NY 11747 - 4300, USA AN - OPUS4-45175 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Boehm, Rainer T1 - Cone type Phased Array Design for High Speed Hollow Axle Inspection N2 - To increase inspection speed and inspection reliability the use of phased array system is a superior solution. Especially for shaft inspection phased array setups are commonly used. For hollow axle inspection typically a number conventional probes rotating through the axles drilling are applied, without demounting the axes and without dismantling the wheels and the brake discs. A new approach using a cone type array operated in immersion technique will allows to increase inspection speed and reduce the mechanical effort of the inspection system by rotating the sound field for the circumferential scan electronically. Only a linear movement of the probe is necessary to move the phased array cone forward and backwards inside the drilling. By applying additional focal laws the beam can be inclined exactly and be focused in the plane vertical to the specimen axis to concentrate the sound in the zones close to the external surface of the railway axle. The cone type phased array probe has been optimized to detect transversal flaws in and close to the outer surface of the hollow axle, whose surface lies in the radial-radial plane. The prototype probe system and its performance will be presented. T2 - ESIS TC24 Workshop: Integrity of Railway Structures CY - Wittenberge, Germany DA - 25.09.2017 KW - Hollow Axle Inspection KW - Ultrasound KW - UT KW - Phased Array KW - Cone Type Array PY - 2017 AN - OPUS4-42523 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Boehm, Rainer A1 - Heckel, Thomas A1 - Spruch, W. A1 - Beggerow, T. T1 - Ultrasonic Phased Array Design Study for High Speed Axle Inspection using an Electronically Rotating Beam N2 - For in-service inspections on wheelset axles with a hollow drilling, mechanized ultrasound inspection systems with single element probes are typically used. The ultrasonic testing in the zones close to the external surface of the railway axles can be realized from the inside of the bore hole, without demounting the wheelset and without dismantling the wheels and the brake discs. The testing system must be able to find flaws in the external surface of the hollow shafts, whose surface lies in the radial-radial plane, these are called transversal flaw. Presently testing systems are used, where scanning is realized in the circumferential direction by mechanical rotation of the probe system in the actual drilling. The phased array probe system, which is presented here, can carry out the rotation scan electronically. The scan can be carried out by simply moving the system forward and backwards through the drilling without mechanical rotation. Manipulation becomes simpler and the inspection time can be shortened considerably. The ultrasonic beam can be inclined exactly and be focused in the plane vertical to the specimen axis. The probe is designed with help of indispensable simulations using especially designed software developed by BAM. The feasibility and the alignment between the simulated and experimental results were shown in earlier projects reported by Boehm et al. (2006) and Völz et al. (2012). The main task here is to optimize a probe for bore holes with a diameter of 65 mm with an increase in sensitivity and a high spatial resolution. This development will be carried out by use of extensive simulations and result in certain changes of the relevant probe parameters. KW - Phased Array KW - Ultrasound KW - Axle inspection PY - 2017 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-436230 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prostr.2017.07.001 VL - 2017 IS - 4 SP - 71 EP - 78 PB - Elsevier B.V. AN - OPUS4-43623 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Boehm, Rainer T1 - What is the benefit of the total focussing method and full matrix capture for ultrasonic imaging using the phased array technique N2 - In the last two decades automated ultrasonic inspection devices took over a lot of applications that prior have been carried out using manual inspection with the evaluation of A-scans only. In parallel phased array systems have been developed and brought to the market which offer detailed and fast control over the sound field. When applying automated inspection phased array systems for UT measurements imaging of the recorded data in combination with the probe positioning data is used for the evaluation of inspections. B-Scan, C-Scan and S-Scan images are typically used with this setup. For more sophisticated applications with linear arrays echo tomography and syntethic aperture focusing technique (SAFT) are well known methods and often applied for high resolution image reconstruction. Since channel count of phased array systems is constantly rising, matrix arrays with up to 256 elements entered the market. Signal processing in the matrix domain became 3D. Since some years the Total Focusing Method (TFM) is an additional imaging tool for these type of application. It is based on the Full Matrix Capture (FMC) using the elements of phased array probes as separate transmitters and receivers. In this contribution we discuss the common ground of SAFT and TFM as well as the differences between these imaging tools. The combined use of automated inspection, matrix arrays and signal processing for high resolution measurements is a challenging task where a very long parameter list has to be taken into account. Under which conditions which elements of the full matrix should be taken for the reconstruction for best results? Based on examples taken from measured and simulated echo signals it will be shown how image resolution can be optimized in dependence of different parameters like the distance between transmitters and receivers and their directivity patterns, the depth of echo source and the specimen geometry. T2 - 19th World Conference on Non-Destructive Testing CY - Munich, Germany DA - 13.06.2016 KW - Ultrasonic testing KW - Ultrasonic imaging KW - Phased array KW - Total focussing method KW - Full matrix capture PY - 2016 UR - https://www.wcndt2016.com/programme AN - OPUS4-37051 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Boehm, Rainer A1 - Heckel, Thomas T1 - Simulation of sparse matrix array designs N2 - Matrix phased array probes become more and more prominent to be used in industrial applications. The main drawbacks, using probes incorporating a very large number of transducer elements, are the needs for an appropriate cabling and an ultrasonic device offering many parallel channels. Matrix arrays designed for extended functionality feature at least 64 or more elements. Typical arrangements are square matrices, e.g. 10 by 10 or 11 by 11 or rectangular matrices, e.g. 8 by 16 or 10 by 12 to fit a 128-channel phased array system. In some phased array systems, the number of simultaneous active elements is limited to a certain number, e.g. 32 or 64. Those setups do not allow to run the probe with all elements active which may cause a significant change in the directivity pattern of the resulting sound beam. When only a subset of elements is possible to use during a single acquisition, different strategies may be applied to collect enough data for rebuilding the missing information from the echo signal. Omission of certain elements may be one approach, overlay of subsequent shots with different active areas may be another one. This paper presents the influence of decreased number of active elements on the sound field and their distribution on the array. An example for 16 active elements out of 121 is given in Figure 1. The sound field divergence and its shape basically remain the same, while the sensitivity is reduced and the amplitudes of the speckle-like side lobes increase significantly. Solutions using subsets with different element activity patterns on matrix arrays and their advantages and disadvantages concerning the sound field are evaluated using semi-analytic simulation tools. Sound field criteria regarding the consequences for NDT test results and the system setup are discussed. T2 - QNDE 2017 CY - Provo, UT, USA DA - 17.07.2017 KW - Ultrasound KW - Sparse array KW - Simulation PY - 2017 AN - OPUS4-41149 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Boehm, Rainer A1 - Brackrock, Daniel A1 - Kitze, Jessica A1 - Brekow, Gerhard A1 - Kreutzbruck, Marc ED - Thompson, D.O. ED - Chimenti, D.E. T1 - Advanced crack shape analysis using SAFT N2 - The spatial resolution in ultrasonic testing as a wave phenomenon in nature is limited to a certain fraction of the wavelength, usually defined to be close to the Rayleigh criterion. In case of complicated reflector surfaces – such as stress corrosion cracking - this limitation prevents an exact visualization of the defect shape. There exist a few approaches to improve the spatial resolution, whose reconstruction quality all in common also depend on the achieved signal-to-noise ratio of the raw data. In this work we present a specific SAFT analysis, in which a high number of different angles of incidence produce a sufficiently high number of different reflections at the crack edges resulting in an improved SNR. In doing so, we reconstruct a coherent crack structure. First investigations were made at artificially simulated crack configurations with different contours and curvatures in flat and cylindrical test blocks. The measurements results – visualized by representative scans – show details of crack design and crack orientation. We also will present a comparison of the SAFT analysis between modelling and phased array measurements. T2 - 36th Annual Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation CY - Kingston, RI, USA DA - 2009-07-26 KW - Ultrasonic testing KW - SAFT KW - Phased array PY - 2010 SN - 978-0-7354-0748-0 SN - 0743-0760 SN - 0094-243X N1 - Serientitel: AIP conference proceedings – Series title: AIP conference proceedings SP - 1 EP - 8 CY - Melville, NY AN - OPUS4-21816 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - GEN A1 - Boehm, Rainer A1 - Brackrock, Daniel A1 - Kitze, Jessica A1 - Brekow, Gerhard A1 - Kreutzbruck, Marc ED - Mazal, Pavel T1 - Saft for crack surface analysis - Comparison of modeling and phased array measurements T2 - 5th International workshop of NDT experts - NDT in progress 2009 CY - Prague, Czech Republic DA - 2009-10-12 KW - Ultrasonic testing KW - SAFT KW - Phased array PY - 2009 SN - 978-80-214-3968-9 SP - 1 EP - 10 AN - OPUS4-20341 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Boehm, Rainer A1 - Brackrock, Daniel A1 - Kitze, Jessica A1 - Brekow, Gerhard A1 - Kreutzbruck, Marc T1 - The SAFT approach for advanced crack analysis T2 - NDE 2009 CY - Tiruchirappalli, India DA - 2009-12-10 PY - 2009 SP - 315 EP - 318 AN - OPUS4-20832 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Brekow, Gerhard A1 - Kreutzbruck, Marc A1 - Boehm, Rainer A1 - Kitze, Jessica A1 - Eggers, H. A1 - Böwe, M. T1 - Using UT-SAFT for analysis of stress corrosion cracking N2 - Stress corrosion cracking is a transcrystalline or intercrystalline crack formation in materials which occurs under the influence of static tensile stress or residual stress and a specific aggressive medium such as chloride containing substances. This special sort of crack formation is involved in complex crack configurations, which may only insufficiently be captured by conventional ultrasonic probes with fixed angles of incidence. Only a number of different beam angles produce sufficient reflection to reconstruct the complete defect shape from measured ultrasonic data. The SAFT algorithm, which was recently successfully used in many industrial NDT-applications, is a promising tool for the reconstruction process. In addition, the combination of phased array technique and SAFT was developed in several projects by BAM, Berlin. Investigations using phased array equipment were performed to look into crack configurations in test blocks with different surface curvatures. UT-SAFT has been used for the analysis of spark-eroded notches simulating stress corrosion cracks at the thermo sleeve weld of a nozzle. For comparison, UT-SAFT has also been applied for the analysis of real reflectors at the same position in a nozzle used in a power plant, which was repaired later on. SAFT-scans received from reconstructed ultrasonic measurement data confirm the practical usefulness of the SAFTalgorithm developed by BAM. T2 - 8th International conference on NDE in relation to structural integrity for nuclear and pressurised components CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 2010-09-29 KW - Stress corrosion cracking KW - Real and simulated cracks KW - D-nozzle KW - Phased array technique KW - SAFT reconstruction PY - 2010 SN - 978-3-940283-30-6 IS - DGZfP-BB 125 (Th.2.B.1) SP - 1 EP - 10 CY - Berlin AN - OPUS4-23594 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Brekow, Gerhard A1 - Boehm, Rainer A1 - Brackrock, Daniel A1 - Kreutzbruck, Marc T1 - Quantitative Defect Sizing on Components with Different Wall Thickness using UT-SAFT T2 - 17th World Conference on Non-Destructive Testing CY - Shanghai, China DA - 2008-10-25 KW - UT-SAFT KW - Reconstruction PY - 2008 IS - Paper 122 SP - 1 EP - 6 PB - International Committee for Non-Destructive Testing CY - Shanghai AN - OPUS4-18436 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Brekow, Gerhard A1 - Brackrock, Daniel A1 - Boehm, Rainer A1 - Kreutzbruck, Marc ED - Thompson, D. O. ED - Chimenti, D. E. T1 - Phased array-based SAFT for defect sizing on power plant components N2 - Quantitative NDE methods play a key role when it comes to inspect components, which requires high operational safety. UT-SAFT is one of the well-known reconstruction tools, which provides information about the defect size. In this work we studied the use of phased array technique in combination with the SAFT algorithm to inspect power plant components. As a first example we inspected a real-sized mock-up model representing a part of a reactor pressure vessel with a 180 mm-thick ferritic base material followed by a 6 mm-thick austenitic cladding layer. The phased array probe was coupled at the outer ferritic surface. We detected and sized fatigue cracks within the cladding with a depth ranging from 4 mm to 10 mm. Secondly, we investigated a mock-up model resembling a nozzle including a thermo sleeve inlet and a maximum wall thickness of about 37 mm. Artificially inserted notches with a depth of 3 mm could be detected and sized, where the thermo sleeve is welded at the inside of the nozzle. T2 - 35th Annual Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation CY - Chicago, IL, USA DA - 2008-07-20 KW - Ultrasonic testing KW - Phased arrays KW - SAFT KW - Power plant components PY - 2009 SN - 978-0-7354-0629-2 SN - 0743-0760 SN - 0094-243X N1 - Serientitel: AIP conference proceedings – Series title: AIP conference proceedings IS - 1096 SP - 872 EP - 879 PB - American Institute of Physics CY - Melville, NY AN - OPUS4-19435 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - RPRT A1 - Pavlovic, Mato A1 - Takahashi, K. A1 - Müller, Christina A1 - Boehm, Rainer A1 - Ronneteg, U. T1 - NDT Reliability - Final report - Reliability in non-destructive testing (NDT) of the canister components N2 - This report describes the methodology of the reliability investigation performed on the ultrasonic phased array NDT system, developed by SKB in collaboration with Posiva, for inspection of the canisters for permanent storage of nuclear spent fuel. The canister is composed of a cast iron insert surrounded by a copper shell. The shell is composed of the tube and the lid/base which are welded to the tube after the fuel has been place, in the tube. The manufacturing process of the canister parts and the welding process are described. Possible defects, which might arise in the canister components during the manufacturing or in the weld during the welding, are indentified. The number of real defects in manufactured components have been limited. Therefore the reliability of the NDT system has been determined using a number of test objects with artifical defects. The reliability analysis is based on the signal response analysis. The conventional signal response analysis is adopted and further developed before applied on the modern ultrasonic phased-array NDT system. The concept of multi-parameter a, where the response of the NDT system is dependent on more than just one parameter, is introduced. The weakness of use of the peak signal response in the analysis is demonstrated and integration of the amplitudes in the C-scan is proposed as an alternative. The calculation of the volume POD, when the part is inspected with more configurations, is also presented. The reliability analysis is supported by the ultrasonic simulation based on the point source synthesis method. KW - POD KW - Reliability KW - Nuclear waste KW - Final disposal PY - 2008 UR - http://www.skb.se/upload/publications/pdf/R-08-129webb.pdf SN - 1402-3091 SP - 1 EP - 56 CY - Stockholm AN - OPUS4-20620 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - GEN A1 - Tscharntke, Dirk A1 - Heckel, Thomas A1 - Boehm, Rainer A1 - Erhard, Anton A1 - Krull, R. A1 - Lützner, J. A1 - Hintze, H. ED - Forde, M. C. T1 - Development of ultrasonic railway inspection systems using phased array methods T2 - 6th Railway Engineering Conference CY - London, England, UK DA - 2003-04-30 KW - NDT KW - Ultrasonic KW - Phased array KW - Railway KW - Inspection KW - Directivity pattern KW - Crack analysis/sizing PY - 2003 SN - 0-947644-51-2 PB - Engineering Technics Press CY - Edinburgh AN - OPUS4-2487 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -