Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
11C~424~
This invclltion rclaLcs to a~paratus for tcsting
elongate articlcs and morc particular:Ly, al-though not cxclusively,
to apparatus for -the ultrasonic testing of elongate articles
having an angled cross-section such as square or rectangular
section elongate articles for example steel billets or square
or rectangular section steel tubes.
According to the invention, as herein claimed, there
is provided an apparatus for the ultrasonic testing of elongate
articles moving along their axes, comprising an ultrasonic
probe assembly mounted for engagement with an upper por-tion of
an elongate article to be tested as it is moved along its axis
therebelow, said probe assembly being capable of movement trans-
verse to the axis of movement of the ar-ticle when engaged with
the article; and the probe assembly comprising a probe carrier
having a lower portion conforming to and adapted to slide upon
the upper portion of the article during testing, at least one
ultrasonic probe mounted on said carrier and a guide shoe
extending from the leading end of the said lower portion, said
guide shoe being angled upwardly and outwardly from the said
lower portion and having a lower portion configuration trans-
verse to said axis of movement corresponding generally to that
of the said lower portion ofthe probe carrier, the probe
assembly when not engaged with an article being normally freely
suspended by gravity in such a manner that said guide shoe
engages the advancing upper portion of the article to be tested,
whereby, upon further advancement of the article, said guide
shoe and the probe assembly is liEted and aligned by and with
the upper portion of the article to be -tested.
The probe carrier arrangement may take the form of a
plate structure. Thus it may comprise a plate conforming to
the upper portion of the article to be tested or a plurality of
interconnected plates performing this function.
4244
Where the apparatus is for testing elongate articles
having an angled cross-section, the pla-te structure may have a
lower surface correspondingly anyled along its length parallel
to said axis of movement so that the plate structure is
positively located in relation to the angle of the article and
i~ thereby prevented from move_nt around the article to be.
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- ~ested. Thus in the case of testing rectangular or square
section artlcles, the lower surface of the plate may comprise
two flat portions connected or linked at an included right
angle.
The probe assembly may be freely suspended by means
of cables wires or chains such as to be capable of generally
vertical movement. In this case further cables wires or
chains may be provided to restrict movement of the assembly
parallel to said axis of movement or to restrict swinging
movements when hanging free.
In an alternative arrangement, the probe assembly may
be carried by a counterweighted arm permitting at least
generally vertical movement of the assembly.
By means of the invention, and in operation, the
assembly can be arranged such that before testing, the lower
surface of the plate is below the line of travel of the upper
portion of articles to be tested, incoming articles engaging
firstly the guide shoe thereby forcing the assembly upwards
until the plate engages and slides upon the article whereupon
testing can commence.
In order that the invention may be more readily under- -
stood, three embodiments thereof will now be described by way
of example with reference to the accompanying drawings ln which:-
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective vLew of one
embodiment of the invention at a first stage in its operation;
Figure 2 i9 a diagrammatic perspective view of the
embodiment of Figure 1 at`a second stage of its operation;
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second
embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a third
embodiment of the invention.
~ 2 ~
Figures 1 and 2 show an assembly for subjecting steel
billets 1 to ultrasonic testing. The billets are moved along
a path such that one edge 11 thereof is directed upwardly.
A probe assembly 2 is located in the path of travel
of the billetl and is suspended from a fLxed support (not sho~n)
by four chains 12, and restricted against movement along said
path of travel by two anchor chains 14. Further stabilizing
chains 13 are provided to eliminate "pendulum" oscillation, for
example after the end of a bent billet leaves the assembly.
The probe assembly comprises two flat rectangular plates
15 and 18 linked or connected together at right angles by means
of a bridging member, but nonetheless separated from each other.
This separation allows the unit to establish rapidly a correct
riding position when engaging a badly sheared billet end, since
the shear "rag" can quite easily pass through the gap between
the plates.
Each plate 15 and 18 carries a plurality of ultrasonic
probe units 22 for testing the billet.
Attached to the underside of each plate 15 and 18 is a
shoe 16 and 19 by means for example of screws (not shown). The
shoes act as rubbing plates for the assembly and also as lead-on
guides by means of leading ends 17 and 20 inclined at -
approximately 30 to the general plane of the respective shoe.
In operation the leading end of an incoming billet 1
firstly encounters the inclined ends 17 and 20 of the shoes 16
and 19, which ride up the billet leading end until the assembly
rides upon the billet 1 with plates 15 and 18 on adjacent faces
of the billet and positive location thereby assured. This is
the condition illustrated in Figure 2.
As will be seen, the support chains 12 are now slack,
and the assembly is restrained from movement with the billet
by the anchor chains 14.
As soon as plates 15 and 18 are riding on the billet,
testing by means of the ultrasonic probes can commence in the
normal manner, a coupling fluid (such as water) being supplied
to the probe units in any convenient known way.
Upon a tested billet leaving the apparatus, the assembly
will again drop down to the supported position shown in Figure 1.
The arrangement of Figure 3 is similar to that of Figures
1 and 2. Thus a probe assembly 2 is located in the path of
travel of the billet 1 and is suspended from a fixed support
(not shown) by four wires 3 and restricted against vement along
said path of travel by two anchor wires 4.
The probe assembly comprises a plate 5 in the form of
two flat portions joined at an internally right-angled ridge 6.
Each plate portion carries a plurality of ultrasonic probe units
7 for testing the billet.
Secured to the leading edge of the plate 5 is a guide
shoe 8. The guide shoe is ridged in a similar manner to the
plate and is inclined upwardly and outwardly at an angle of
approximately 30 to the plate.
- The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4 is in
operational respect the same as that of Figures 1 and 2 and 3.
In this case however the probe assembly 2 is supported from a
fixed axle 9 by means of a double counterweight arm arrangement
1~ which permits movement of the assembly 2 transverse to the
path of travel of the billet 1
We believe that the invention as described provides a
simple and effective testing arrangement in which the usual .
ma;lufacturing degree of twisting bowing and misalignment of
billets can easily be accommodated by the positive ridge
location of the plate as the billets pass through the apparatus
and in which the guide shoe enables the assembly to ride
successfully over any rags and slivers at the leading end of
~he billetO It is to be noted that the apparatus is capable
of accommodating a range of billet sizes without need for
adjustment~ In addition testing can commence immediately the
plate 5 is riding on the billet end so that only an
insignificant portion of the billet is not subjected to testing.
Although wear of the guide shoe and/or plate will occur, these
relatively inexpensive items can be readily replaced at
reasonable intervals.
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