Title :
An annular array with fiber composite microstructure for far field NDT imaging applications
Author :
Ramadas, S.N. ; Dziewierz, J. ; O´Leary, R.L. ; Gachagan, A. ; Velichko, A. ; Wilcox, P.D.
Author_Institution :
Centre for Ultrasonic Eng., Univ. of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
Abstract :
This paper describes the design and fabrication of a reduced element count annular array for far field NDT imaging applications, built with a random fiber piezoelectric composite microstructure. An annular array design is considered, spatially it offers axi-symmetric layout while reducing number of array elements, which could potentially result in a significant reduction in the cost and complexity of building an ultrasonic volumetric imaging system. Modelling and preliminary experimental results are presented to evaluate the feasibility of this approach.
Keywords :
composite materials; nondestructive testing; piezoelectric materials; ultrasonic imaging; far field NDT imaging applications; fiber composite microstructure; random fiber piezoelectric composite microstructure; reduced element count annular array; ultrasonic volumetric imaging system; Apertures; Costs; Design engineering; Mechanical engineering; Microstructure; Phased arrays; Prototypes; Pulse measurements; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonic transducer arrays; Far-field imaging; annular arrays; phased arrays;
Conference_Titel :
Ultrasonics Symposium (IUS), 2009 IEEE International
Conference_Location :
Rome
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-4389-5
Electronic_ISBN :
1948-5719
DOI :
10.1109/ULTSYM.2009.5441460