Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing

Phased array (PA) instruments for gear testing produce accurate, detailed cross-sectional pictures of internal structures at fast inspection speeds. Phased array technology uses multiple ultrasonic elements and electronic time delays to create beams that can be steered, scanned, swept, and focused electronically for fast inspection, full data storage, and multiple angle inspections. Phased array technology provides precise measurement with the most reliable results.

Phased array probes come in a range of sizes to suit small gears for gearboxes through bull gears and sugar mill drive trains to the largest girth gears.

Crack depths are normally sized with single element ultrasonic probes however with only one angle it is often difficult or impossible to accurately measure the depth of a winding girth gear crack.

In the example show above, a crack in the load zone of the tooth could break off causing enormous damage and lead to an unplanned shutdown.

The ultrasonic phased array image can use multiple angles simultaneously showing that the crack is shallow and near the end of the tooth. With this information the decision to trim off the corner of the tooth can easily be made and the mill can continue in normal operation

The Olympus Omniscan or Epoch 1000i phased array units are small and battery powered but fully featured and can be up and running quickly and efficiently after arriving at the test location.

Ultrasonic phased array girth gear testing