Immersed probe over pressurized elastomer

1. A method for ultrasonic testing, comprising:

placing an ultrasonic probe in a liquid bath inside of a pressure vessel having a nonpermeable elastomeric diaphragm stretched across an opening of the pressure vessel such that the ultrasonic probe is suspended over the diaphragm with liquid between the ultrasonic probe and the diaphragm;

wherein the ultrasonic probe is placed inside the pressure vessel through a probe feed-through opening comprising a sealed bearing assembly to allow for electrical connections to the probe to be passed into the pressure vessel while maintaining pressure;

positioning a test piece proximate or adjacent to the elastomeric diaphragm, wherein the step of positioning comprises using a stable lift platform which lifts the test piece into the diaphragm of the pressure vessel;

applying pressure within the pressure vessel to bring the elastomeric diaphragm towards the test piece;

conducting ultrasonic testing of the test piece using the ultrasonic probe.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the pressure vessel is a bell-jar.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the test piece is a catalyst substrate.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the test piece is a ceramic material.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of applying pressure within the container forces the elastomeric diaphragm against a surface of the test piece thereby conforming the elastomeric diaphragm to the surface of the test piece to provide intimate contact.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid bath comprises a gel solution.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the pressure is within the range of about 1 pound per square inch to about 15 pounds per square inch.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of conducting ultrasonic testing of the test piece using the ultrasonic probe comprises moving the probe within the pressure vessel in a rotational or linear fashion.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising rejecting the test piece based on the ultrasonic testing.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism for holding the ultrasonic probe in a static location.

11. An apparatus for ultrasonic testing of a test piece, comprising:

a pressure vessel having a nonpermeable elastomeric diaphragm and configured to contain a liquid bath; and

an ultrasonic probe disposed within the pressure vessel;

wherein the ultrasonic probe is suspended over the diaphragm to allow liquid to flow between the ultrasonic probe and the diaphragm;

a stable lift platform for lifting the test piece proximate or adjacent to the elastomeric diaphragm; and

a probe feed-through opening, comprising a sealed bearing assembly, to allow for electrical connections to the probe to be passed into the pressure vessel while maintaining pressure.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a drive shaft operatively connected to the pressure vessel for moving the ultrasonic probe in a rotational or linear fashion.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a drive mechanism operatively connected to the drive shaft.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a pressure inlet to the pressure vessel for increasing pressure within the pressure vessel.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a mechanism for holding the ultrasonic probe in a static location.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising other inputs into the pressure vessel including fluid supply ports, pressure relief ports, and additional ports for sensing and detection devices.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the pressure vessel comprises a secondary backing ring and a main backing ring.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the backing rings are placed to clamp the diaphragm in place and to back the diaphragm in locations where the piece is not in contact with the diaphragm to eliminate bulging of the pressurized diaphragm in unsupported regions.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein nuts and bolts are used to secure the diaphragm.

20. An apparatus for ultrasonic testing of a test piece, comprising:

a bell jar;

a liquid bath comprising a gel, the liquid bath contained within the bell jar;

a nonpermeable elastomeric diaphragm stretched across an opening of the bell jar;

an ultrasonic probe positioned above the elastomeric diaphragm and separated from the elastomeric diaphragm to allow liquid from the liquid bath to flow between the ultrasonic probe and the diaphragm;

a probe feed-through opening comprising a sealed bearing assembly to allow for electrical connections to the probe to be passed into the bell jar while maintaining pressure;

a drive shaft operatively connected to the bell jar for moving the ultrasonic probe in a rotational or linear fashion;

a drive mechanism operatively connected to the drive shaft;

a stable lift platform for lifting a test piece proximate or adjacent to the elastomeric diaphragm; and

a mechanism for optionally holding the ultrasonic probe in a static location.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the bell jar comprises a secondary backing ring and a main backing ring.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the backing rings are placed to clamp the diaphragm in place and to back the diaphragm in locations where the piece is not in contact with the diaphragm to eliminate bulging of the pressurized diaphragm in unsupported regions.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein nuts and bolts are used to secure the diaphragm.