Transducer assembly
A transducer assembly for use in determining a health state of a joint ( 45 ) between first and second joined parts ( 42, 44 ); the transducer assembly comprising a transducer module ( 50 ) comprising a transducer element ( 100 ) for transmitting or receiving an ultrasonic signal to or from, respectively, the joint, and a mounting part ( 52 ) comprising an internal wedge portion ( 70 ), formed integrally with the mounting part ( 52 ), to which the transducer element ( 100 ) is fixed permanently so that the transducer module forms a unitary replaceable module.
1. A time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) transducer assembly for use in determining a health state of a joint ( 45 ) between first and second joined parts ( 42 , 44 ), the transducer assembly comprising:
a pair of modules consisting of a transmitter module and a receiver module wherein the transmitter module is a transducer module ( 50 ) comprising a single transducer element ( 100 ) for transmitting an ultrasonic signal to the joint ( 45 ), and the receiver module is a transducer module comprising a single transducer element for receiving an ultrasonic signal from the joint, and each module comprises a mounting part ( 52 ) comprising an internal wedge portion ( 70 ), formed integrally with the mounting part ( 52 ), each wedge portion including a substantially flat face to which a respective one of the transducer elements ( 100 ) is fixed permanently so that each module ( 50 ) forms a unitary replaceable module.
2. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the mounting part ( 52 ) is provided with a recess ( 68 ) and wherein the transducer element ( 100 ) is received within the recess.
3. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 2 , comprising a filler material arranged to fill excess space within the recess ( 68 ) once the transducer element ( 100 ) has been mounted within the recess.
4. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the filler material defines at least a part of a flat upper surface of the transducer module ( 50 ).
5. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the filler material includes an adhesive material.
6. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the transducer element ( 50 ) is fixed permanently to the wedge portion ( 70 ) by means of an adhesive.
7. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a flow arrangement ( 82 , 84 , 97 ) for transporting couplant to a surface ( 60 ) of the mounting part ( 52 ) which abuts the parts ( 42 , 44 ), in use, during determination of the health state of the joint.
8. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the flow arrangement includes at least one channel ( 82 , 84 , 87 ) provided within the mounting part ( 52 ).
9. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an arrangement for determining the health state of the joint based on a reflected signal from the joint ( 45 ).
10. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the health state of the joint ( 45 ) is one of a defective state or a non-defective state.
11. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the arrangement for determining the health state of the joint is a processor which receives the reflected signal from the joint.
12. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 1 , comprising an electrical circuit ( 101 ) fixed to the transducer element ( 100 ).
13. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the electrical circuit ( 101 ) is fixed to the transducer element ( 100 ) by means of an adhesive.
14. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the adhesive is selected so as to modify a pulse width of a wave generated by the transducer element ( 100 ).
15. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 13 , further comprising an electrical connection arrangement ( 110 ) for transmitting electrical signals to or from the transducer module ( 50 ) via the electrical circuit ( 100 ).
16. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the electrical connection arrangement includes a connecting wire or cable ( 110 ) which projects from the transducer module ( 50 ).
17. The transducer assembly as claimed claim 1 , wherein when in use, the transmitter module and the receiver module are spaced apart on the joined parts.
18. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the transmitter module and the receiver module are movable relative to one another to adjust their relative spacing.
19. The transducer assembly as claimed in claim 1 , for determining a health state of joined parts in the form of joined pipes.