Method and apparatus for conducting phased array testing

Abstract

A system for conducting phased array testing on a vehicle hub includes a guide element having a first end and a second end, a pivot element extending from the second end to couple to the vehicle hub, and a slide element coupled to the guide element. The slide element is movable relative to the guide element between the first end of the guide element and the second end of the guide element. The slide element including an object-receiving aperture to receive a phased array probe element.

1 . A method for conducting phased array testing comprising:
 coupling an end of a guide element of a testing apparatus to a center of an industrial vehicle hub to be tested;   coupling a phased array probe element to a slide element that is slidably coupled to the guide element;   adjusting a radial position of the slide element relative to the center of the hub along the guide element; and   rotating the guide element about the center of the hub.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of coupling the end of the guide element includes inserting a pivot element through an aperture in the guide element and into a threaded aperture in the center of the hub. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further including coupling an encoder element to a bracket coupled to the guide element. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further including coupling the probe element and the encoder element to a main controller, and displaying images of the hub on a monitor of the main controller. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further including locking a radial position of the slide element and the probe element relative to the center of the hub by inserting a threaded fastener through apertures that are aligned on the guide element and the slide element. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further including performing a calibration of the probe element prior to testing the hub, wherein the calibration includes testing a calibration element that resembles a portion of a hub for component failures embedded in the calibration element. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further including using the probe element to emit a high-resolution beam of sound into the hub and scanning for component failures in the hub, wherein the scanning includes performing encoded raster scans with an approximately 50% overlap from a radially outer portion of the hub toward a radially inner portion of the hub. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further including removing the guide element and slide element from the hub after testing the hub, with the probe element still coupled to the guide element, and coupling the guide element to another hub to be scanned.