Phased Array Intro Advanced

Advanced Ultrasonic Inspection
OlympusNdt
Nick Bublitz
What is Phased Array?
Advanced Ultrasonic
Industrial PA
technique used for flaw
detection, sizing, and
imaging.
Allows for electrical
manipulation of probe
characteristics by
introducing time shifts to
sent and received signals
Utilizes multi-element
(array) probes for
increased capabilities over
conventional ultrasonics.
2
Medical PA
Advantages of Phased Array

Electronic scanning (raster) possible without
moving probe.
Increased control of beam characteristics.
Simultaneous inspection with multitude of
angles using one probe.
Can better inspect complex geometries or
limited access areas.
Can replace costly and hazardous
radiography applications.
Phased Array
Phased Array Probe Configuration
It is like having many small conventional UT probes

integrated inside a single probe.
128 elements !
How Does Phased Array Work?
Elements are pulsed in

groups with
precalculated time
delays for each element
(i.e., phasing).
Single Trigger Pulse
Time
Modern software allows an

operator to input test parametersMaterial, wave type, desired
angles etc and all calculations
are done by the software. Probe
recognition and Wedge databases
further simplify setup.
How Phased Arrays Work - Beam Steering
Electronic Scanning modes

35-70 degrees
Sectorial scan
Linear/ Electronic scan
45 degree
Combinations
Advanced software options (i.e.: Multi group) allow for many
different combinations to be performed to increase detection,
speed up inspections, or fulfill code requirements.
10
Sectorial Scan
The ability to scan a

complete sector of volume
without any probe
movement.
Useful for inspection of
complex geometries, or
geometries with space
restrictions.
Combines the advantages
of a wide beam and/or
multiple focused probes in
a single phased array
probe.
11
Sectorial Scan
Allows for a swept

range of angles
Allows for full volume
inspection without
probe movement.
12
Electronic/Linear Scanning
Allows movement of beam along probe array without
physical movement of probe by multiplexing.
Each beam will be at the same angle from its respective
exit point.
This can mimic conventional UT rastering towards and away
from a weld, but does it electronically, allowing for movement of
the probe in only one direction (ex. Line scan down the length
of the weld), simplifying automation and
encoding.
Also used to cover large areas more rapidly.
13
Linear Electronic Scan
The movement of the

acoustic beam is along the
axis of the array, without
any mechanical
movement.
The beam movement is

performed by time
multiplexing of the active
elements. Arrays are
multiplexed using the
same focal law.
14
Large Area Scans

Single crystal
PA 128 element
VS
16
Key Concept
Phased arrays do not

change the physics of
ultrasound
PAs are merely a
method of generating
and receiving a signal
17
Imaging
An important part of a phased
array system is imaging. Usually
imaging is created from the raw
A-scan Amplitude or TOF data.
18
Imaging Linear Electronic Scan
By using the electronic

scanning capability of
the phased array
technology, imaging
d
becomes possible
without mechanical
movement.
Arrays are multiplexed
using the same focal
law and the resulting Ascan of each beam is
color-encoded and
displayed in a linear Sscan.
Beams 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1112 13
Beams 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1112 13
19
Imaging Linear Electronic Scan
A linear electronic scan can also be performed with a steering

angle (15 in the image below).
Linear Angle S-scan
20
Imaging Sectorial Scan
Using a small angle step value, the sectorial scan

resolution is very precise.
21
22
Each beam goes back to a single conventional A-Scan
Imaging On Omniscan
23
Phased Array Instruments

Omniscan
Tomoscan Focus LT
1000i
Quickscan PA
24
Manual
Applications
25
Manual Inspections
26
27
28
29
30
31
Radiography
Root Crack
32
Phased Array technique
Porosity
Phased Array technique
Radiography
33
Double V Images Tomoview
34
Semi-automated Inspections
Addition of scanners and encoders to record data

Provides digital data of weld inspections that is repeatable and
auditable using the Omniscan or computer based software
-Tomoview
Allows advanced software features including weld overlays,
sizing algorithms, custom displays, advanced measurement tools,
etc.
Low cost portable systems now allow NDT service companies
and fabrication shops to offer advanced AUT solutions that are
have historically been cost prohibitive and required an enormous
amount of expertise
Use of phased array technology allows low cost magnetic oneline scanners to replace fully automated raster scanning
motorized equipment by using S-scans and E-scans for coverage
35
Imaging with Encoders

Side view of weld-S scan
A scan
Top view of weld-Cscan

36
Small wheel encoders
37
Multi-Probe Capable Scanners
38
Fully Automatic
Fully automated
phased Arrays
Benefits include
Best quality data
Most repeatable
results
39
Driven by Focus LT or OmniScan
40
Pipe Wizard- Zonal Technique
41
What about Codes?
ASME
Case 2235 Use of Ultrasonic Examination in Lieu of RT for
ASME Sec VIII Pressure Vessels
Case 2600 Use of Linear PA S-scan per Art. 4 Sec V
Case 2557 Use of Manual PA S-scan per Art. 4 Sec V
Case 2599 Use of Linear PA E-scan per Art. 4 Sec V
Case 2541 Use of Manual PA per Art. 4 Sec V
Case 2558 Use of Manual PA E-scan per Art. 4 Sec V
Case 181 Use of Alternative UT Examination Accept
Criteria for ASME B31.3
Case 179 Use UT in Lieu of RT for B31.1 Applications <
inch in Thickness
42
Code\Procedure Compliance (continued)
ASME Code Case 2235 allows for the use of UT (Phased Array) in lieu of RT if the
inspection can be demonstrated on a representative calibration or manufactured defect
specimen.
The short version of this is that from one or more probe positions or scans, if the
calibration targets of flaws can be detected and sized, the technique is allowed to be
used in lieu of RT.
Courtesy of AIT
43
Other Codes
API- Many API inspections possible
including zone discrimination (1104) with the
right equipment
AWS- was codified in 2006 (Manual) but
requires engineers approval each caseencoded annex submitted- we are working
with AWS now on other code work
ASTM- E-2491- published recommended
practice for setting up PA
44
Calibrations
To fulfill codesmust have full

sensitivity/wedge
delay/ TCG/DAC
across all angles
Must be realistically
accomplishedquick/easy (OmniScan
Wizards)
45
Sensitivity Calibration Example

Before
After
46
Code Compliance
When used by certified personnel, Olympus
Phased Array Systems are cable of meeting
the basic requirements of any code with
respect to all the following parameters.
Vertical and Horizontal Linearity

Time of Flight Calibration
Sensitivity Calibration
ACG (Angle Corrected Gain as defined by the
ASME)
TCG Calibration
DAC Calibration
Velocity Calibration
47
Scan Plans
In order for advanced

inspections to be
successful setup must
be quick and easy and
documented
48
What is Tofd- TOFD Basics
Tofd is a wide beam longitudinal wave technique using TOF

Information for sizing. It utilizes diffraction versus reflection
The incoming wave

vibrates the defect.
Each point of the
defect generates new
elementary spherical
waves called
diffraction
49
TOFD Basics Continued

Incident
wave
Diffracted
waves All directions
Low energy
Reflected
wave
FLAW
Diffracted
waves
50
Independent
of incidence
angle
51
Why use TOFD in a Phased Array Inspection?

In most instances, particularly on thin welds, TOFD is not necessary and
the phased array is sufficient. However on thicker welds whether it is
required or not, it is extremely useful for the following reasons:
Where weld bevel design does not allow a pulse echo A-scan to intersect the
weld bevel at near perpendicular angles, the probability of detection and over
all inspection quality is severely reduced on the fusion line. TOFD uses
diffracted rather than reflected signals and is not dependent on flaw orientation.
Setting up a TOFD channel on the Omniscan MXU takes less than 5 minutes
and calibration is typically performed in analysis mode after the inspection.
Of the 256 available focal laws (A-scans) in the Omniscan, the TOFD channel
uses only one. Low overhead on the acquisition rate and file size.
TOFD is an industry accepted technology that has been in use for decades.
The ASME, AWS, and API codes have either specific rules for TOFD or
alternative rules for computer based inspection techniques that allow flexibility
in inspection strategy if a qualification is performed. TOFD is an excellent tool
for fulfilling these requirements.
For thick welds that are difficult to cover on one line scans, TOFD can provide a
large coverage area reducing acquisitions and probe changes.
For some codes such as ASME CC2235, the technology used for detection can
be different than that of sizing. This is a great combination for PA and TOFD
!TOFD - BIG VALUE - LOW COST - EASY!
52
Why use TOFD in a Phased Array Inspection?
The 30 degree V weld can easily be

inspected using standard PE techniques
from the phased array without the use of
TOFD. A 60 degree linear scan would
intersect the weld bevel perpendicular
providing a very high probability of
detection throughout the entire weld
volume when inspected from both sides.
For weld bevels that have a vertical

plane, PE scan plans without the use of
TOFD would have a low probability of
detection on the vertical fusion lines.
53
54
Tofd and Phased Array
55
Phased Array Offline Analysis- Tomoview
Tomoview Full- Includes capability to acquire data through an Omniscan MXU or Focus LT
and all analysis Features.
Tomoview Analysis- Includes all analysis features without the ability to acquire data.
Tomoview Weld LT- Limited version specifically designed for analysis of Omniscan data files
with most common analysis tools and limited customization.
Tomoview Viewer- Free version that can be provided to customers or inspectors for basic
data file screening without advanced tools.
56
An essential tool used in the

offline analysis of phased array
data files is the volumetric data
merge. The C-scan below is
the sum of all focal laws used
in the scan plan. In this
example over 200 focal laws on
6 linear scan channels from 2
probes. The ability to merge all
focal laws into one C-scan
allows all focal laws on all
channels to be analyzed in
seconds in one display.
57
From the Merged

C-scan, individual
flaws are analyzed
on the relevant
channels using Bscans, D-scans and
S-scans.
Additionally, every
A-scan from every
focal law is
available on
customized views
designed for the
particular
application.
The typical
WeldROVER
application would
use 2 or 4 phased
array channels from
probes on both
sides of the weld
combined with 1 or
2 TOFD channels.
58
Thank you!

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Advanced Ultrasonic Inspection

What is Phased Array?

Advantages of Phased Array

Phased Array Probe Configuration

It is like having many small conventional UT probes

How Does Phased Array Work?

Elements are pulsed in

Single Trigger Pulse

Modern software allows an

How Phased Arrays Work - Beam Steering

Electronic Scanning modes

Linear/ Electronic scan

The ability to scan a

Allows for a swept

Linear Electronic Scan

The movement of the

The beam movement is

Large Area Scans

Phased arrays do not

Imaging Linear Electronic Scan

By using the electronic

Imaging Linear Electronic Scan

A linear electronic scan can also be performed with a steering

Imaging Sectorial Scan

Using a small angle step value, the sectorial scan

Each beam goes back to a single conventional A-Scan

Phased Array Instruments

Phased Array technique

Phased Array technique

Double V Images Tomoview

Addition of scanners and encoders to record data

Imaging with Encoders

Top view of weld-Cscan

Small wheel encoders

Multi-Probe Capable Scanners

Driven by Focus LT or OmniScan

Pipe Wizard- Zonal Technique

What about Codes?

Code\Procedure Compliance (continued)

To fulfill codesmust have full

Sensitivity Calibration Example

Vertical and Horizontal Linearity

In order for advanced

What is Tofd- TOFD Basics

Tofd is a wide beam longitudinal wave technique using TOF

The incoming wave

TOFD Basics Continued

Why use TOFD in a Phased Array Inspection?

Why use TOFD in a Phased Array Inspection?

The 30 degree V weld can easily be

For weld bevels that have a vertical

Tofd and Phased Array

Phased Array Offline Analysis- Tomoview

Phased Array Offline Analysis- Tomoview

An essential tool used in the

Phased Array Offline Analysis- Tomoview

From the Merged

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