Systems and methods for viewing data generated by rotational scanning in non-destructive testing

1. A non-destructive testing system for testing a work piece from within the work piece, the non-destructive testing system comprising:

an ultrasonic probe outputting at least one beam from a location within the work piece being tested;

a control unit for controlling the ultrasonic probe;

means for causing the beam to proceed in 360° of directionality within the work piece being tested;

wherein the ultrasonic probe and the control unit configured obtain C-scan images and corresponding S-scan images, the C-scan images and the corresponding S-scan images are of the same portion of the work piece being tested; and

a hand-held display in communication with the ultrasonic probe;

wherein the hand-held display is configured to display C-scan images or corresponding S-scan images.

2. The non-destructive testing system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe comprises a two-dimensional array probe.

3. The non-destructive testing system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe comprises a translational device.

4. The non-destructive testing system of claim 1 , wherein the hand-held display is configured to display the C-scan images in a radar-like view with a beam cursor.

5. The non-destructive testing system of claim 4 , wherein a position of the beam cursor corresponds to a related S-scan image.

6. The non-destructive testing system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe produces a plurality of C-scan images.

7. The non-destructive testing system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe produces a plurality of S-scan images.

8. The non-destructive testing system of claim 1 , further comprising a motor for rotating the ultrasonic probe.

9. The non-destructive testing system of claim 8 , wherein the motor comprises a position encoder in communication with the ultrasonic probe.

10. A method of viewing non-destructive test data in connection with testing a work piece from within the work piece, the method comprising:

maneuvering an ultrasonic probe within the work piece being tested and outputting at least one beam from a location within the work piece being tested;

ultrasonically scanning the work piece by causing the beam to proceed in 360° of directionality within the work piece being tested;

obtain C-scan images and corresponding S-scan images, the C-scan images and the corresponding S-scan images are of the same portion of the work piece being tested;

displaying a plurality of C-scan images on a hand-held display;

selecting one of the plurality of C-scan images; and

displaying an S-scan image corresponding to the selected C-scan image on the hand-held display.

11. The method of viewing of claim 10 , wherein the step of displaying the plurality of C-scan images comprises displaying the plurality of C-scan images in a radar-like view.

12. The method of viewing of claim 11 , wherein the radar-like view comprises rotating a beam cursor.

13. The method of viewing of claim 12 , wherein a position of the beam cursor comprises the S-scan image corresponding to the selected C-scan image.

14. The method of viewing of claim 10 , wherein the displaying steps comprise displaying the scans on a hand-held device.

15. The method of viewing of claim 10 , further comprising the step of resuming display of the plurality of C-scan images.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of maneuvering the ultrasonic probe comprises encoding a position of the ultrasonic probe.

17. A non-destructive testing system for testing a work piece from within the work piece, the non-destructive testing system comprising:

an ultrasonic probe outputting at least one beam from a location within the work piece being tested;

wherein the ultrasonic probed comprises a two-dimensional array;

a control unit for controlling the ultrasonic probe;

means for causing the beam to proceed in 360° of directionality within the work piece being tested;

wherein the ultrasonic probe and the control unit configured obtain C-scan images and corresponding S-scan images, the C-scan images and the corresponding S-scan images are of the same portion of the work piece being tested; and

a hand-held display in communication with the ultrasonic probe;

wherein the hand-held display is configured to display a plurality of C-scan images in a radar-like view or a corresponding S-scan image.

18. The non-destructive testing system of claim 17 , wherein the radar-like view comprises a beam cursor.

19. The non-destructive testing system of claim 18 , wherein a position of the beam cursor corresponds to a related S-scan image.

20. The non-destructive testing system of claim 17 , further comprising a motor to rotate the ultrasonic probe and wherein the motor comprises a position encoder in communication with the ultrasonic probe.