JP2007240386A - Nondestructive inspection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a nondestructive inspection apparatus capable of exactly specifying a detection portion of a flaw or a reduced thickness area, easily carrying out a flaw inspection operation and precisely acquiring a flaw inspection waveform. <P>SOLUTION: An operator has a flaw inspection probe 11 in his/her hand, and slides and scans it along the surface of an object to be inspected. A measuring device 12 measures a detection signal of the flaw inspection probe 11 being slid and scanned along the surface of the object to be inspected, and judges the flaw inspection probe 11 to be positioned on the detection portion of the flaw or the reduced thickness area of the object to be inspected, based on the detection signal of the flaw inspection probe 11. When the flaw inspection probe 11 is positioned on the detection portion of the flaw or the reduced thickness area of the object to be inspected, a stopping device 13 stops the sliding and scanning operation of the flaw inspection probe 11 in accordance with a stop command issued from the measuring device 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a nondestructive inspection apparatus that non-destructively inspects an inspection object by sliding and scanning a flaw detection probe on the surface of the inspection object.

  In general, nondestructive inspection of inspection objects such as piping is performed manually by an operator. For example, in non-destructive inspection of large-diameter piping, the flaw detection probe formed on the surface of the large-diameter piping is contacted with the flaw detection scanning line, and flaw detection is performed on the screen displayed on the display device of the measuring instrument. Detect flaws while checking the waveform. If there is a flaw or a thinned portion in the inspection object, a detailed flaw detection waveform is recorded at that location, and a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the flaw or the thinned portion is performed based on the recorded flaw detection waveform. .

Here, there is one in which flaw detection is automatically performed on an inspection object (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This is because the flaw detection of the joint welds can be performed fully automatically over the entire range in the weld line direction including the plate end, with high efficiency and high accuracy, and the configuration is compact and easy to handle. This is an automatic ultrasonic flaw detector that can greatly contribute to improving the work efficiency of a specimen or the like, and has stop means for detecting the plate end along the weld line direction and stopping the carriage at the plate end position.
JP-A-6-160358

  However, in conventional non-destructive inspection of inspection objects by hand, flaw detection is performed while moving the flaw detection probe on the surface of the inspection object, and at the same time, flaw detection on the screen displayed on the display device of the measuring instrument is performed. It is also necessary to check the waveform. Therefore, the worker must visually recognize both the flaw detection probe side and the display screen side, and the operator's line of sight is in a plurality of directions. For this reason, it may be difficult to overlook the flaw detection waveform and to quickly and accurately identify the position of a flaw or thinning.

  In addition, when it is visually confirmed that a flaw or thinning has been detected, it is optimal to adjust the position of the flaw detection probe, the flaw detection probe posture, the amount of contact medium, etc. in the vicinity of the flaw or thinning detection site. Until the flaw detection waveform can be recorded, it is necessary to flaw the vicinity thereof, so that flaw detection work takes time.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, a plate end along the weld line direction is detected, travel is stopped at the plate end position, a scanning range is set for detecting the welded portion of the plate end at the stop position of the carriage, and automatically In addition, ultrasonic inspection is performed on an inspection object, and when a flaw or thinning is detected, a flaw detection is not performed in the vicinity of the detected part of the flaw or thinning.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a nondestructive inspection apparatus capable of accurately identifying a detection site of a flaw or thinning, easily performing a flaw detection operation, and obtaining an accurate flaw detection waveform.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nondestructive inspection apparatus that includes a flaw detection probe that slides and scans the surface of an inspection object by an operator, a detection signal of the flaw detection probe, and a detection signal of the flaw detection probe. A measuring instrument for determining that a flaw detection probe is located at a detection site for a flaw or thinning of the inspection object; and when the flaw detection probe is located at a flaw detection or a thinning detection site of the inspection target, And a stop device for stopping the sliding scanning operation.

  A nondestructive inspection apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the nondestructive inspection apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the stop device is provided in the flaw detection probe, and the flaw detection probe is located at a detection site of a flaw or a thinning of the inspection object. And an electromagnet that sticks to the inspection object by electromagnetic force.

  A nondestructive inspection apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the nondestructive inspection apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the stop device is provided in the flaw detection probe, and the flaw detection probe is located at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object. In this case, the suction cup sticks to the inspection object with a suction force.

  A nondestructive inspection apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the nondestructive inspection apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the stop device is provided in the flaw detection probe, and the flaw detection probe is located at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object. And a frictional force generator that generates a frictional force with the inspection object.

  The nondestructive inspection apparatus according to the invention of claim 5 is the fact that, in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 4, when the flaw detection probe is located at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object. A sensation notifying device for notifying an operator of sensation is provided.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nondestructive inspection apparatus according to the present invention, wherein a flaw detection probe slidingly scans the surface of an inspection object by an operator, a detection signal of the flaw detection probe is measured, and the detection signal of the flaw detection probe is used. A measuring device that determines that a flaw detection probe is located at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object, and a work to that effect when the flaw detection probe is located at a flaw or thinning detection site of the inspection object. It is characterized by having a sensation notification device that provides sensation notification to a member.

  A nondestructive inspection apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the non-destructive inspection apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the sensation notification apparatus operates that the flaw detection probe is located at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object. It is a visual notification device that appeals to the visual sense of employees.

  The nondestructive inspection device according to the invention of claim 8 is the non-destructive inspection device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the sensation notification device is operated in such a way that the flaw detection probe is positioned at a detection site of a flaw or a thinning of the inspection object. It is a hearing notification device that appeals to the hearing of a member.

  A nondestructive inspection apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the non-destructive inspection apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect of the invention, wherein the sensation notification apparatus operates that the flaw detection probe is located at a detection site of a flaw or a thinning of the inspection object. It is a tactile alerting device that appeals to the tactile sense of a member.

  According to the present invention, when the flaw detection probe is positioned at a detection site for a flaw or thinning of the inspection object, the scanning scan of the flaw detection probe is stopped, or the operator is notified with a bodily sensation. The hand is temporarily locked. For this reason, the position of the detection part of a crack and thinning can be pinpointed correctly. Therefore, oversight of the detection part of the flaw and thinning and the time for identifying the position of the detection part of the flaw and thinning are shortened, and the flaw detection operation can be performed easily and a high-precision flaw detection waveform can be obtained.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a nondestructive inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The flaw detection probe 11 is provided with a stop device 13 that stops the sliding scanning operation of the flaw detection probe 11. The stopping device 13 stops the sliding scanning operation of the flaw detection probe 11 when the flaw detection probe 11 is positioned at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object.

  The worker holds the flaw detection probe 11 provided with the stop device 13 in his / her hand and brings it into contact with the surface of the inspection object. Then, sliding scanning is performed while maintaining contact with the surface of the inspection object, and the flaw detection probe 11 detects a flaw detection waveform. For example, when the flaw detection probe 11 is an ultrasonic probe, a flaw detection waveform signal as shown in FIG. 2 is detected, and the detected flaw detection waveform signal is input to the measuring device 12 and stored.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the measuring instrument 12 stores a threshold value L of the flaw detection waveform signal in advance, and determines whether or not the flaw detection waveform signal detected by the flaw detection probe 11 exceeds the threshold value L. Since the flaw detection probe 11 detects a flaw detection waveform signal having a large level at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object, the threshold value L is set to a level for determining that it is a detection site of a flaw or thinning.

  On the other hand, when the flaw detection waveform signal exceeds the threshold value L, the measuring instrument 12 outputs a stop command signal for stopping the sliding scanning operation of the flaw detection probe 11 to the stop device 13. Thereby, the stop device 13 stops the sliding scanning operation of the flaw detection probe 11. That is, when the flaw detection probe 11 is positioned at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object, the flaw detection waveform signal exceeds the threshold value L, and the measuring instrument 12 detects this and detects the flaw detection probe with respect to the stop device 13. A stop command signal for stopping the sliding scanning operation is output. When the stop device 13 receives the stop command signal from the measuring instrument 12, the stop device 13 operates so as to prevent the sliding scanning operation on the surface of the inspection object of the flaw detection probe 11 held by the worker.

  FIG. 1 shows a case where an electromagnet is used as the stopping device 13, and when the flaw detection waveform signal exceeds the threshold value L, the measuring instrument 12 excites the coil of the electromagnet and attaches it to the inspection object with electromagnetic force. . Thereby, since the flaw detection scan of the worker who has carried out the flaw detection scan with the flaw detection probe 11 in his / her hand is blocked, it can be recognized that the flaw detection probe 11 is located at the detection site of the flaw or thinning of the inspection object. . Then, after the flaw and thinning detection part can be recognized, the identification work of the flaw and thinning detection part is performed. In the identification work, the operation of the stop device 13 is canceled. Thereby, the worker can easily perform the identification work by the flaw detection probe 11 at the detection site of the flaw and the thinning, and can accurately identify the position of the flaw and the thinning.

  Although FIG. 1 shows the case where the electromagnet as the stopping device 13 is attached to the outside of the flaw detection probe 11, it may be incorporated inside the flaw detection probe 11. A plurality of electromagnets may be used.

  According to the first embodiment, since the flaw detection probe 11 is stopped when the flaw detection probe 11 is positioned at a detection site for a flaw or thinning of the inspection object, the flaw detection scan operation of the flaw detection probe 11 is stopped. Stop temporarily. For this reason, the position of the detection site | part of a crack and thinning can be pinpointed correctly, and the time which identifies the location of the detection site | part of a detection site | part of a crack and thinning is reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a nondestructive inspection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, in place of the electromagnet as the stopping device 13 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a suction cup 14 that sticks to an inspection object with a suction force is used. The same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the flaw detection probe 11 is provided with a suction cup 14 as a stop device 13 on the side where the flaw detection probe 11 comes into contact with the surface of the inspection object, and the stop device 13 is stopped from the measuring instrument 12. A suction pump 15 is provided for evacuating the air inside the suction cup 14 by a command signal.

  When performing a flaw detection operation on the inspection object, the worker holds the flaw detection probe 11 in his / her hand and slides the flaw detection probe 11 in contact with the surface of the inspection object. In this state, since the suction pump 15 is not driven, no suction force is generated in the suction cup 14. Therefore, the flaw detection probe 11 moves in accordance with the flaw detection scanning operation of the worker, and the flaw detection probe 11 sequentially detects the flaw detection waveform of the inspection object and outputs a detection signal of the flaw detection waveform to the measuring instrument 12. The measuring instrument 12 sequentially inputs and stores the flaw detection waveform signals detected by the flaw detection probe 11.

  When the flaw detection waveform signal detected by the flaw detection probe 11 exceeds the threshold value L, the measuring device 13 drives the suction pump 15 to evacuate the air inside the suction cup 14. As a result, the suction cup 14 sticks to the object to be inspected with the suction force, and the flaw detection scanning of the worker who has performed the flaw detection scanning with the flaw detection probe 11 in hand is prevented. Thereby, it can be recognized that the flaw detection probe 11 is positioned at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object.

  After the detection site of the flaw or thinning is recognized, the operation of the stop device 13 is canceled, and the identification operation of the detection site of the flaw or thinning is performed. Thereby, the worker can easily perform the identification work by the flaw detection probe 11 at the detection site of the flaw and the thinning, and can accurately identify the position of the flaw and the thinning.

  According to the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the sliding scanning of the flaw detection probe 11 is stopped not by the electromagnetic force of the electromagnet but by the suction force of the suction cup, it can be applied even when the inspection object is not a ferromagnetic material.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a nondestructive inspection apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This third embodiment is different from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that a frictional force generator 16 that generates a frictional force with an object to be inspected is used instead of the electromagnet as the stop device 13. It is what. The same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the flaw detection probe 11 is provided with a frictional force generator 16 as a stop device 13 on the side where the flaw detection probe 11 contacts the surface of the inspection object. The frictional force generator 16 includes a frictional member 17, and generates a frictional force by causing the frictional member 17 to protrude from the surface of the inspection object in response to a stop command signal from the measuring device 12.

  When performing a flaw detection operation on the inspection object, the worker holds the flaw detection probe 11 in his / her hand and slides the flaw detection probe 11 in contact with the surface of the inspection object. As a result, the flaw detection probe 11 detects a flaw detection waveform of the inspection object and outputs a detection signal of the flaw detection waveform to the measuring instrument 12.

  When the flaw detection waveform signal detected by the flaw detection probe 11 exceeds the threshold value L, the measuring instrument 12 drives the frictional force generator 16 to cause the friction member 17 to protrude. As a result, the friction member 17 comes into contact with the surface of the object to be inspected and generates a frictional force, so that the flaw detection scan of the worker who has performed the flaw detection scan with the flaw detection probe 11 in hand is blocked. As a result, the worker can recognize that the flaw detection probe is located at a detection site for a flaw or thinning of the inspection object.

  After the detection part of the flaw and the thinning is recognized, the operation of the stop device 13 is canceled, and the identification work of the detection part of the flaw and the thinning is performed. Thereby, the worker can easily perform the identification work by the flaw detection probe 11 at the detection site of the flaw and the thinning, and can accurately identify the position of the flaw and the thinning.

  According to the third embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the sliding scanning of the flaw detection probe 11 is stopped not by the electromagnetic force of the electromagnet but by the frictional force between the frictional member 17 of the frictional force generating device 16 and the inspection object, even when the inspection object is not a ferromagnetic material. Applicable.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a nondestructive inspection apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, in addition to the stop device 13, a sensation notification device 18 for notifying the operator of the sensation is provided in addition to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  The bodily sensation notification device 18 operates in response to a bodily sensation output command signal from the measuring instrument 13 when the flaw detection probe 11 is positioned at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object, and the flaw detection probe 11 is flawed by the operator. It is a notification of bodily sensation that it is located at the detection site for thinning. Human senses include visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory sensations. In the fourth embodiment, a visual notification device that is sensed by vision, a hearing notification device that is sensed by hearing, and a tactile notification device that is sensed by touch Is used.

  As a visual notification device, for example, a head-mounted display or LED is prepared, and a flaw detection waveform is displayed on the head-mounted display, or an LED is provided on the head-mounted display or helmet, and the flaw detection probe 11 reduces or reduces the number of inspection objects. When positioned at the meat detection site, the LED is turned on to appeal to the operator's vision.

  As an audio notification device, for example, an earphone or a bone conduction device is prepared, and these are attached to the body. When the flaw detection probe 11 is located at a detection site of a flaw or a thinning of an inspection object, a sound is emitted from the earphone or the bone conduction device. Output information and appeal to the hearing of workers.

  Further, as a tactile sensation notification device, for example, a voltage generation device or a belt tightening device is prepared, and these are attached to the body, and voltage generation occurs when the flaw detection probe 11 is positioned at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of an inspection object. The device gives a myoelectric potential to the worker or mechanically tightens the muscle with the belt tightening device to appeal to the tactile sense of the worker.

  In the above description, the case where the sensation notification device 18 is additionally provided with respect to the first embodiment has been described, but the sensation notification device is provided for the second embodiment and the third embodiment. 18 may be additionally provided. Further, the stop device 13 of the first embodiment to the third embodiment may be omitted, and only the sensation notification device 18 may be provided.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a flaw detection work site by an operator. In FIG. 6, a visual notification device (head-mounted display) 19 and an auditory notification device (earphone) 20 are mounted as the bodily sensation notification device 18, and the miniaturized measuring instrument 12 is carried in a pocket of work clothes. This shows a case where a flaw detection operation is performed on a large-sized pipe that is an inspection object 21. Moreover, the case where the flaw detection probe 11 is provided with the stop device 13 is shown.

  A flaw detection reference line 22 is provided on the surface of the inspection object 21, and the flaw detection probe 11 is slid along the reference line 22 to detect a flaw detection waveform. The flaw detection waveform detected by the flaw detection probe 11 is input to and stored in the measuring instrument 12 and is displayed and output to the visual notification device 19. The operator slides and scans the flaw detection probe 11 while looking at the position of the reference line 22 of the inspection object 21 and the flaw detection waveform 23 displayed on the visual notification device 19.

  And when the flaw detection probe 11 is located in the detection site | part of the crack of a test target object or thinning, not only the stop apparatus 13 but the sensation notification apparatus 18 also operate | moves. That is, since the flaw detection waveform 23 rises sharply, the visual alarm device 19 can easily identify that the flaw detection probe 11 is positioned at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object. In addition, since sound information is output to the auditory alarm device 20, it can be easily identified that the flaw detection probe 11 is located at a flaw or a thinning detection site of the inspection object. Thereby, the oversight of the flaw detection waveform can be reduced, and the position of the flaw or the thinning can be easily identified.

  The miniaturized measuring instrument 12 makes the apparatus compact to a size that fits into a worker's pocket by miniaturizing a pulsar receiver or the like, for example. Thereby, wiring routing between the flaw detection probe 11 and the measuring instrument 12 can be reduced. In addition, when using the existing measuring device 12, the measuring device 12 is installed in the flat part of a work site, but even in that case, the flaw detection probe 11 is detected by the sensation notification device 18 as the inspection object. Since the operator is informed that it is located at the detection site of a flaw or thinning, it is not necessary for the operator's line of sight to be directed to the display screen side of the measuring instrument 12, and only the direction on the flaw detection probe 11 side. Can be overlooked.

  According to the fourth embodiment, when the flaw detection probe 11 is positioned at a detection site for a flaw or a thinning of the inspection object, the operator is informed of that fact, so that the operator's hand that performs flaw detection temporarily Locked. For this reason, the position of the detection site | part of a crack and thinning can be pinpointed correctly, and the time which identifies the location of the detection site | part of a detection site | part of a crack and thinning is reduced.

  Further, not only the visual notification device (head mounted display) but also the auditory notification device or the tactile notification device can be used together as the bodily sensation notification device, so that it is possible to reduce detection of flaws and thinning parts. In the case of a bone conduction auditory alarm device, it is possible to reliably report even in an environment where no sound can be heard with headphones.

The block diagram of the nondestructive inspection apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The flaw detection waveform figure which shows an example of the detection signal of the flaw detection waveform detected with the flaw detection probe. The block diagram of the nondestructive inspection apparatus concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram of the nondestructive inspection apparatus concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram of the nondestructive inspection apparatus concerning the 4th Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view of the flaw detection work site by the worker using the nondestructive inspection device concerning a 4th embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Flaw detection probe, 12 ... Measuring device, 13 ... Stop device, 14 ... Suction cup, 15 ... Suction pump, 16 ... Friction force generator, 17 ... Friction member, 18 ... Sensory notification device, 19 ... Visual notification device, 20 ... Auditory alarm device, 21 ... inspection object, 22 ... reference line, 23 ... flaw detection waveform

Claims (9)

  A flaw detection probe that slides and scans the surface of the inspection object by an operator, and the detection signal of the flaw detection probe is measured, and the flaw detection probe detects flaws and thinning of the inspection object based on the detection signal of the flaw detection probe. A measuring device for determining that the probe is located at a detection site; and a stop device that stops the sliding scanning operation of the flaw detection probe when the flaw detection probe is located at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object. Non-destructive inspection device characterized by that.   The stop device is an electromagnet that is provided on the flaw detection probe, and that sticks to the inspection object by electromagnetic force when the flaw detection probe is located at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object. The nondestructive inspection apparatus according to claim 1.   The stop device is a suction cup that is provided on the flaw detection probe and sticks to the inspection object with a suction force when the flaw detection probe is located at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object. The nondestructive inspection apparatus according to claim 1.   The stop device is provided on the flaw detection probe, and generates a frictional force between the flaw detection probe and the inspection object when the flaw detection probe is positioned at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object. The nondestructive inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein   5. The sensation notification device according to claim 1, further comprising a sensation notification device for notifying an operator of the fact when the flaw detection probe is positioned at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object. The non-destructive inspection device described in the section.   A flaw detection probe that slides and scans the surface of the inspection object by an operator, and the detection signal of the flaw detection probe is measured, and the flaw detection probe detects flaws and thinning of the inspection object based on the detection signal of the flaw detection probe. A measuring instrument for determining that the probe is located at a detection site, and a bodily sensation notification device for notifying an operator of the fact when the flaw detection probe is positioned at a detection site for a flaw or thinning of the inspection object. A nondestructive inspection device characterized by that.   The said bodily sensation notification device is a visual notification device that appeals to the visual sense of an operator that the flaw detection probe is located at a detection site of a flaw or a thinning of the inspection object. Nondestructive inspection equipment.   The said bodily sensation alerting device is an auditory alerting device that appeals to the hearing of an operator that the flaw detection probe is located at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object. Nondestructive inspection equipment.   The tactile sensation notification device is a tactile sensation notification device that appeals to the tactile sensation of an operator that the flaw detection probe is located at a detection site of a flaw or thinning of the inspection object. Nondestructive inspection equipment.

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