Automatic estimation of surface and probe location for 3D imaging with bidimensional arrays

Ultrasound imaging for Non Destructive Testing is frequently performed in an immersion setup, where water is used as coupling medium between the probe and the component under test. For the computation of the time delays needed for beam-forming, the shape of the component surface and probe location and orientation (PLO) must be known. In this work we develop methods for the automatic detection of the surface and the estimation of PLO for 2D array probes. In particular, the methods developed apply to three types of elementary surfaces which are usually found in industrial and structural components: planes, cylinders and spheres. The methods use the measured surface echoes Time of Flight (TOF) to fit parametric models based on ray propagation and reflection on the surface, giving the coordinates and Euler angles that define the PLO relative to the component under test. Validation experiments with four test specimens representing the three types of surfaces are presented . The accuracy and precision of estimated PLO coordinates and angles are analyzed, and a Total Focusing Method (TFM) imaging example is shown achieving a correct detection of artificial defects in the component for a different PLOs.