Automatic dynamic depth focusing for NDT

Auto-focusing along with dynamic depth focusing (DDF) would be very valuable to inspect arbitrarily shaped parts when operating with wedges or with other coupling media to avoid the burden of computing and setting the correct focal laws while still getting the best possible resolution at all depths. This work proposes a three-step procedure to perform the auto-focusing function with DDF in real time. First, the part geometry is estimated by the first echo time-of-arrival following one of several possible strategies: pulse-echo, pitch-catch, or plane wave. These are analyzed with regard to their performances and acquisition time, giving closed formulae to get the coordinates of interface points. After a curve fitting and extrapolation process, a virtual array that operates in a homogeneous medium is computed, avoiding the complications of refraction at the interface and allowing operation with already known focusing hardware. This hardware is initialized with the set of focusing parameters adapted to the estimated probe- part geometry, and ensures that all received samples are in focus. Using a standard computer, the auto-focusing procedure currently takes about 2 s to perform. Experiments carried out under different conditions validate the proposed technique.