Ultrasonic inspection probe assembly

Abstract

An ultrasonic inspection probe assembly includes a flexible ultrasonic transducer array located between a backing block and a face layer. The flexible ultrasonic transducer array can be located in the opening of a flexible ultrasonic transducer array frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ultrasonic inspection probe assembly comprising:
 a backing block;   a face layer;   a flexible ultrasonic transducer array located between the backing block and the face layer; and   a flexible ultrasonic transducer array frame located between the backing block and the face layer, the flexible transducer array frame comprising an opening,   wherein the opening of the flexible ultrasonic transducer array frame surrounds the flexible ultrasonic transducer array.   
     
     
         2 . The ultrasonic inspection probe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible ultrasonic transducer array, and the flexible ultrasonic transducer are bonded to the backing block and the face layer with an epoxy to form an acoustic stack. 
     
     
         3 . The ultrasonic inspection probe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible ultrasonic transducer array is a linear phased array. 
     
     
         4 . The ultrasonic inspection probe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible ultrasonic transducer array is a matrix phased array. 
     
     
         5 . The ultrasonic inspection probe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible ultrasonic transducer array is formed from a piezo-ceramic material. 
     
     
         6 . The ultrasonic inspection probe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible ultrasonic transducer array frame comprises spring steel. 
     
     
         7 . The ultrasonic inspection probe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the flexible ultrasonic transducer array is the same as a thickness of the flexible ultrasonic transducer array frame. 
     
     
         8 . The ultrasonic inspection probe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible ultrasonic transducer array frame is flexed in an original position when no forces are applied to the ultrasonic inspection probe assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The ultrasonic inspection probe assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible ultrasonic transducer array frame is configured to return to the original position when no forces are applied to the ultrasonic inspection probe assembly. 
     
     
         10 . An ultrasonic inspection probe assembly comprising:
 a backing block;   a face layer;   a flexible ultrasonic transducer array formed from a piezo-ceramic material and located between the backing block and the face layer; and   a flexible ultrasonic transducer array frame located between the backing block and the face layer, the flexible transducer array frame comprising an opening,   wherein the opening of the flexible ultrasonic transducer array frame surrounds the flexible ultrasonic transducer array, and   wherein the flexible ultrasonic transducer array and the flexible ultrasonic transducer are bonded to the backing block and the face layer with an epoxy to form an acoustic stack.   
     
     
         11 . The ultrasonic inspection probe assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible ultrasonic transducer array is a linear phased array. 
     
     
         12 . The ultrasonic inspection probe assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible ultrasonic transducer array is a matrix phased array. 
     
     
         13 . The ultrasonic inspection probe assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible ultrasonic transducer array frame comprises spring steel. 
     
     
         14 . The ultrasonic inspection probe assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible ultrasonic transducer array frame is flexed in an original position when no forces are applied to the ultrasonic inspection probe assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The ultrasonic inspection probe assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the flexible ultrasonic transducer array frame is configured to return to the original position when no forces are applied to the ultrasonic inspection probe assembly.