Destruction-free and contactless inspection method and inspection apparatus for surfaces of components with ultrasound waves

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of nondestructive and contactless testing of components ( 3 ), wherein ultrasonic waves ( 6 ) are irradiated onto the surface of the component ( 3 ) at a predefinable, non-perpendicular angle of incidence ( 9 ) using an ultrasonic transmission sound transducer ( 1 ) arranged spaced apart from the surface of the component ( 3 ) and the intensity of the ultrasonic waves ( 7 ) reflected from the surface of the component ( 3 ) is detected with time resolution and/or frequency resolution by the antenna array elements ( 2 n ) of an ultrasonic antenna array ( 2 ) configured for detecting ultrasonic waves ( 7 ) and the phase shift of the ultrasonic waves guided at the surface of the test body is determined therefrom with respect to the ultrasonic waves ( 7 ) directly reflected at the surface of the component ( 3 ).

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of nondestructive and contactless testing of components ( 3 ), wherein ultrasonic waves ( 6 ) are irradiated onto a surface of a component ( 3 ) at a predefinable, non-perpendicular angle of incidence ( 9 ) using an ultrasonic transmission sound transducer ( 1 ) spaced apart from the surface of the component ( 3 ) and ultrasonic waves ( 7 ) reflected from the surface of the component ( 3 ) are detected,
 characterized in that   an ultrasonic intensity of the ultrasonic waves ( 7 ) reflected at the surface of the component ( 3 ) detected by antenna array elements ( 2   n ) of an ultrasonic antenna array ( 2 ) configured for detecting ultrasonic waves ( 7 ) is detected, and   a phase shift of the ultrasonic waves irradiated and guided at the surface of the component is determined therefrom   with respect to the ultrasonic waves ( 7 ) directly reflected at the surface of the component ( 3 ).   
     
     
         18 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 ,
 characterized in that   the ultrasonic intensity is detected with time resolution and/or with frequency resolution and a frequency dependence of a propagation speed of the ultrasonic waves irradiated and guided at the surface of the component ( 3 ) is determined therefrom.   
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 ,
 characterized in that   the frequency dependence of the propagation speed of the ultrasonic waves irradiated and guided at the surface of the component ( 3 ) is determined by the frequency dependence of an ultrasonic wave angle of irradiation ( 9 )   which has a minimum of the detected ultrasonic intensity at the antenna array elements ( 2   n ) of the ultrasonic antenna array ( 2 ) configured for detecting the ultrasonic waves ( 7 ) for a respective irradiated ultrasonic wave frequency.   
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 19 ,
 characterized in that   the angle of irradiation ( 9 ) at the surface of the component ( 3 ) is varied by a temporal and spatial control and/or regulation of an excitation of antenna array elements ( 1   n ) of an ultrasonic antenna array ( 1 ) configured for emitting ultrasonic waves ( 6 ) without a movement of the ultrasonic antenna array ( 1 ) that is configured for emitting ultrasonic waves.   
     
     
         21 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 ,
 characterized in that   the ultrasonic waves ( 6 ) irradiated onto the surface of the component ( 3 ) are focused in a direction of the surface of the component ( 3 ) by a temporal and spatial control and/or regulation of the excitation of an antenna array elements ( 1   n ) of an ultrasonic antenna array ( 1 ) configured for emitting ultrasound.   
     
     
         22 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 ,
 characterized in that   a defined spatial and/or temporal intensity distribution of the ultrasonic waves ( 6 ) irradiated onto the component ( 3 ) is achieved by a temporal and spatial control and/or regulation of an excitation of antenna array elements ( 1   n ) of an ultrasonic antenna array ( 1 ) configured for emitting ultrasound.   
     
     
         23 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 ,
 characterized in that   each antenna array element ( 1   n ) of an ultrasonic antenna array ( 1 ) configured for emitting ultrasound is individually excited for emitting ultrasonic waves ( 6 );   the intensity of the ultrasonic waves ( 7 ) reflected from the surface of the component ( 3 ) is detected by all antenna array elements ( 2   n ) of the ultrasonic antenna array ( 2 ) configured for detecting ultrasound; and   the detected ultrasonic intensities are time-resolved and/or frequency-resolved and are superimposed.   
     
     
         24 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 ,
 characterized in that   the ultrasound wave radiations and the ultrasound wave reflections are carried out by an ultrasonic antenna array ( 1  or  2 ) by alternating switching of the ultrasonic antenna array ( 1  or  2 ).   
     
     
         25 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 ,
 characterized in that   the ultrasonic waves ( 6 ) radiated by an ultrasonic antenna array ( 1 ) which are reflected at the surface of the component ( 3 )   are reflected by a reflector element and the ultrasonic waves ( 7 ) reflected in turn at the surface of the component ( 3 ) are detected by the or a ultrasonic antenna array ( 1  or  2 ) configured for detecting ultrasonic waves.   
     
     
         26 . A method in accordance with  claim 25 , carried out using exactly one ultrasonic antenna array. 
     
     
         27 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 ,
 characterized in that   the radiated ultrasonic waves are directed to the component ( 3 ) arranged in a liquid bath ( 4 ).   
     
     
         28 . An apparatus for carrying out the method in accordance with  claim 17 , comprising at least one ultrasonic transmission sound transducer or antenna array ( 1 ) configured for radiating ultrasonic waves and at least one antenna array ( 2 ) configured for detecting reflected ultrasonic waves ( 7 ),
 characterized in that   the ultrasonic transmission sound transducer ( 1 ) is configured for varying an angle of incidence ( 9 ) of the ultrasound waves ( 6 ) onto the surface of the component ( 3 ); and/or   in that the apparatus has an ultrasonic antenna array ( 1 ) configured for emitting ultrasonic waves ( 6 ); and   in that an ultrasonic antenna array ( 2 ) is configured for detecting the reflected ultrasonic waves ( 7 ).   
     
     
         29 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 27 ,
 characterized in that   the apparatus has the ultrasonic sound transducer ( 1 ) configured for emitting ultrasonic waves ( 6 ) which is configured for adjusting the angle of inclination of its ultrasonic wave emission on the surface of the component ( 3 );   and includes an ultrasonic antenna array ( 2 ) configured for detecting reflected ultrasonic waves ( 7 ).   
     
     
         30 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 27 ,
 characterized in that   the apparatus has an ultrasonic antenna array ( 1  or  2 )   which is configured for switching between ultrasonic wave radiation and ultrasonic wave detection,   and has an ultrasonic reflector element.   
     
     
         31 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 27 ,
 characterized in that   the ultrasonic antenna array(s) ( 1 ,  2 ) is/are configured as line antenna arrays and/or as matrix antenna arrays and/or as ring antenna arrays.   
     
     
         32 . Use of an apparatus in accordance with  claim 27 , for characterizing surface coatings and/or surface processing states of surface-strengthened components.