What Phased Arrays Can Do

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 How Phased Arrays Work

 This module illustrates typical scans that can be performed

using phased arrays:
 Electronic (originally called linear) scans
 Sectorial (azimuthal) or S-scans
 Transverse scans
 Dynamic Depth Focusing
 Time-of-Flight Diffraction
 With Tomoview or OmniScan software, operators can
custom-design their own scan patterns, displays and
outputs.

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 Electronic Scanning

Multiplex A Single Focal Law

Across the Array
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 Electronic Scanning

 The ability to move the beam along

one axis of an array without any
mechanical movement.
 The movement is performed only by
time multiplexing the active element
 The beam movement depends on the
probe geometry and could be a
 linear scanning
 sectorial scanning
 lateral scanning
 combination

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 Electronic Scanning

 Electronic (linear) scanning can easily emulate typical

ASME-type 45 and 60 shear wave inspections, and is much
faster than raster scanning.
 Typical weld inspection requires two or more angles with
implied raster size, step size, etc. Need to cover weld, HAZ,
any position errors => significant amount of scanning

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Electronic Scanning on Circular Components

 Electronic scanning allows very quick scanning of

components with constant geometry, e.g., tubes, pipes.

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Tandem Probes for Vertical Defects

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 TOFD using Phased Arrays
Transmitter Receiver
Lateral wave

Back-wall reflection

LW BW

Upper tip Lower tip

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Sectorial (Azimuthal) or S-Scans

Changing the Inspection Angle

without Moving the Array

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Illustration of Sectorial Scanning

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 Sectorial Scans (S-scans)

 Sectorial scanning is the ability to scan a

complete sector of volume without any probe
movement.
 Useful for inspection of complex geometries, or
those with space restrictions
 Combines the advantages of a wide beam
and/or multiple focused probes in a single
phased array probe

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 Sectorial Scans on Welds
 S-scanning – changing the incident angle without changing
position – can be used for a variety of inspections.
 Note some limitations on bevel angle incidence

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 Sectorial Scanning Animation
 This illustration shows a turbine blade root being inspected
using S-scans.

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 Turbine Welded Rotor Inspection
 Phased-array inspection:
 Sectorial scan 30-60 SW
 Step of 1 degree
 Linear scan along the
circumferential axis
 Phased-array probe:
 5 MHz, 16 elements,
16 mm × 16 mm
 Mounted on a wedge
 Calibration block:
 EDM notches
2 mm x 0.5 mm

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Sectorial Scanning on Blade Root

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Determining Defect Location

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Defect Analysis using S-scans (1)

Defect tip
signal – easy
to identify
and size

Crown
defect –
clearly
located

T1 designation shows “top” or cap

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Defect Analysis using S-scans (2)

Corner
reflector
and crack
tip easily
measured

B0 designation shows “bottom” or root

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Combined scans -> improved POD

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Combined S-Scan and Electronic Scan

 Combined scans
offer unique
imaging
possibilities
 Tomoview
software
enables
straightforward
set-ups

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 Lateral Scanning

Detecting Transverse Weld Defects

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 Lateral Scanning

1. Matrix arrays
2. Angled transverse array
3. Conventional UT and EPRI hybrids.
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Dynamic Depth Focusing

Extending the Focal Range

Electronically

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 Schematic Representation of
Dynamic Depth Focusing

M e c h a n ic a l D is p la c e m e n t
B e a m d is p la c e m e n t

F O C U S D E P T H (P U L S E R )

D Y N A M IC F O C U S IN G ( R E C E IV E R )

c = v e lo c ity in m a t e r ia l

DDF is an excellent way of inspecting thick components in a

single pulse. The beam is refocused electronically on its return.
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Dynamic Depth Focusing

Standard phased Phased array with dynamic

array depth focusing
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Dynamic Depth Focusing Animation

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