DE102015108720A1 - Ultrasonic testing device and method for non-destructive testing of a wheel and a wheel disc - Google Patents

Abstract

Ultrasonic testing apparatus for non-destructive testing of a wheel (2) and / or a wheel disc (4), comprising at least two ultrasonic probes (12a, b), each of the ultrasound probes (12a, b) having an ultrasonic transducer arrangement (16a, b) comprising a plurality of juxtaposed in a row, each having a transmitting / receiving surface (26) having ultrasonic transducers (18) arranged on a surface (22) of a common carrier (20 a, b), wherein the surface (22) of each carrier (20a, b) is inclined in a first, vertical direction (RV) and in a second, lateral direction (RL) with respect to a coupling surface (24) and wherein the at least two ultrasound probes (12a, b) are aligned with one another in such a way, that they can be operated both in pulse-echo technique and in V-transmission. Method for non-destructive testing of a wheel (2) and / or a wheel disc (4) with such an ultrasonic testing device, in which the ultrasonic probes (12a, b) are acoustically coupled to a running surface (8) of the wheel (2) and the sound beams (S) emitted by the ultrasonic transducer assemblies (16a, b) are electronically tilted, with a sound beam (S) emitted from a first ultrasonic transducer assembly (16) receiving from both the first ultrasonic transducer assembly (16a) and a second ultrasonic transducer assembly (16b) becomes.

Description

The invention relates to an ultrasonic testing device and a method for nondestructive testing of a wheel and a wheel disc.

In order to avoid wheel fractures or consequential damages resulting therefrom, wheels and the associated wheel disks, in particular railway wheels, must be checked for faults at regular intervals, for example cracks spreading in the wheel or the wheel disk. For this purpose, for example, employed obliquely to the tread ultrasound probes are used, whereby it is achieved that the respective opposite side surface of the wheel disc is swept by a beam of sound to find any surface defects. Since the errors to be detected are often small and as a result have a low reflectivity, a high test sensitivity or a high signal-to-noise ratio is required. The treads, however, show signs of wear, such as wear, due to operation. Unevenness or deviations from the nominal tread profile, which complicate a reliable coupling of the standard tilted ultrasonic probe to the tread. Furthermore, the coupling of the ultrasonic probe can be affected by different sized wheel diameter.

The DE 199 43 215 C2 shows an ultrasonic testing device for testing a railway wheel, in which a probe is arranged with an ultrasonic transmitter, for example, on a Vorlaufkeil to achieve an oblique insonification angle in the railway wheel. Together with a second probe arranged in an opposite position with an ultrasound receiver, it is possible to carry out a V-scan test for the detection of tangentially oriented errors.

The DE 198 33 027 C1 describes, for example, an ultrasonic testing device for testing a railway wheel in which the ultrasonic probe is arranged obliquely with respect to the direction of travel of the railway wheel, so that the sound beam of the ultrasonic probe, based on the radius of the railway wheel, impinges on the running surface of the wheel at a high insonification angle , In particular, the near-surface region of the wheel rim can be checked for radial cracks with this ultrasonic testing device.

From the EP 0 133 942 B1 For example, an ultrasound probe is known in which the ultrasound transducer is disposed on a wedge-shaped support, wherein the transceiver surface of the ultrasound transducer is tilted such that the sound beam is incident on the specimen surface at a non-zero angle of incidence. In addition, the ultrasonic transducer is arranged with respect to a test head main axis in an adjustable angle of rotation, so that the sonic jet impinges on the specimen surface at a squint angle. However, such a twisted arrangement has the disadvantage that a very wide support surface for the ultrasonic probe is required.

In the DE 198 34 587 C1 a device for testing a railway wheel is described, in which a plurality of group radiators are present, which are each arranged at different positions of the rim and the wheel disc and whose emitted sound fields are each pivoted in different pivot planes.

It is an object of the invention to provide an ultrasonic testing device and a method for non-destructive testing of a wheel and a wheel disc, which allows a complete examination of the wheel and the wheel disc with the required test sensitivity.

The first object is achieved with a device having the features according to claim 1. The ultrasonic testing device for nondestructive testing of a wheel and / or a wheel disc comprises at least two ultrasonic probes, each of the ultrasonic probes an ultrasonic transducer assembly with several in a row next to each other arranged, each having a transmitting / receiving surface having ultrasonic transducers, which are arranged on a surface of a common carrier. The surface of each carrier is inclined in a first, vertical direction and in a second, lateral direction relative to a coupling surface. The at least two ultrasound probes can be aligned with one another in such a way that they can be operated both in pulse-echo technology and in V-sound transmission.

Under coupling surface is to be understood that surface which is in contact with a running surface of the wheel and from the emitted from the ultrasonic transducer assembly and the array emitters sound beam exiting the ultrasonic probe.

The surface of the carrier and thus one of the individual transmitting / receiving surfaces of the ultrasonic transducer formed common transmitting / receiving surface is inclined in a first, vertical direction relative to the coupling surface. This ensures that the sound beam enters the wheel to be tested or the wheel disc to be tested at a different sound angle from zero. An additional variation of the insonification angle is achieved by triggering the ultrasonic transducers of the ultrasound transducer arrangement successively in time, so that a test of the wheel disc at different distances from the center of the wheel or the wheel hub, that can be done in different depth ranges.

In addition, the surface of the carrier and the common transmitting / receiving surface are inclined in a second, lateral direction so that a desired squint angle is achieved. The variation of the insonification angle also causes a slight additional change in the squint angle, which additionally has a positive effect on the impact conditions in the respective radial test area. The term "squint angle" is to be understood as meaning the angle which is necessary in order to achieve an insonification in the wheel disc in such a way that the sound beam passes over the respectively opposite side surface of the wheel disc. This has previously been achieved by the use of tilted ultrasonic probes, which are aligned in the direction of the wheel at a non-zero angle of attack.

The present invention has the advantage that the squint angle is realized by the lateral inclination of the surface of the carrier and thus no skewing of the ultrasonic probe is required with respect to the tread. The ultrasonic probe can therefore be placed parallel to a running direction of the wheel on the tread. As a result, the coupling of the ultrasonic probe to the tread and the wheel is significantly improved because the ultrasonic probe in the transverse direction of the tread requires a smaller support dimension than a tilted ultrasonic probe. Thus, the ultrasonic probe according to the invention extends to a lesser extent in the curvature region of the running profile in the direction of the wheel flange, whereby the coupling is improved. In addition, transverse irregularities and / or deviations from the nominal profile of the running surface of the wheel have a significantly smaller influence on the coupling of the ultrasonic test head.

According to the invention, the ultrasonic transducer assembly is thus arranged on a roof surface of the carrier, which is inclined at a roof angle with respect to the coupling surface of the ultrasonic transducer assembly, wherein the roof angle has a vertical and a lateral component. By a corresponding design of the carrier or choice of the roof angle, both the insonification angle can be varied in the component as well as the desired squint angle can be adjusted.

The two ultrasonic probes are aligned so that they are in the opposite direction sounding and in both pulse-echo technique as well as in V-sound can be operated, so that both circumferentially oriented errors detected by V-sounding as well as radial errors by means of pulse-echo technique can be.

In a preferred embodiment of the ultrasonic testing device, the ultrasonic transducer assembly is additionally arranged on the surface such that a track or a straight line of the pivot plane of the ultrasonic transducer assembly and a central longitudinal axis of the surface include a non-zero angle γ between them. Under the track or track straight the pivot plane is to be understood as the cutting line of the achievable with the ultrasonic probe or the ultrasonic transducer assembly pivot plane of the sound beam with a common transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic transducer assembly. For this purpose, for example, the ultrasonic transducer assembly is itself arranged twisted on the surface of the common carrier, wherein a central longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic transducer assembly of the track corresponds to the pivot plane and extends congruent thereto. In other words, the ultrasound transducer assembly is then disposed on the surface such that a central longitudinal axis of the ultrasound transducer assembly and a central longitudinal axis of the surface enclose a non-zero angle γ therebetween. As a result, the impact conditions in the respective test area of the wheel or the wheel disk can be further optimized. The angle γ is usually smaller than 8 °. Through simulation both the angle γ and the roof angle can be optimized.

In a further preferred embodiment, the width of the ultrasound transducer assembly decreases from a central ultrasound transducer to a first and / or second edge of the ultrasound transducer assembly. In the present case, the width of the ultrasound transducer arrangement is understood to mean the dimension of the ultrasound transducer arrangement extending perpendicularly away from the central longitudinal axis of the ultrasound transducer arrangement. The ultrasound transducer assembly is thus - in relation to its central longitudinal axis - narrower at its edge than in the middle. In other words, the transmitting-receiving surface of at least one ultrasonic transducer arranged on a first edge of the ultrasonic transducer arrangement and at least one ultrasonic transducer arranged on a second edge of the ultrasonic transducer arrangement is reduced in size relative to a respective adjacent ultrasonic transducer in a direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. Such a taper of the ultrasonic transducer assembly from the center of the ultrasonic transducer assembly to the edge, has the advantage that the housing of the ultrasonic probe can be made narrower overall. In addition, the lateral insonification angle is increased, which improves the Prüfbereichsabdeckung on the Radscheibenoberfläche.

The area of the common carrier or the ultrasound probe therefore does not have to be increased, so that the dimension of the ultrasound probe or of the carrier can be kept as low as possible both in the running direction and, above all, transversely to the running direction or with respect to the surface profile of the tread is optimized. The device therefore allows an improved coupling to the tread at comparable dimensions of the ultrasonic transducer assembly, since an ultrasonic probe with consistent or rather smaller dimensions is sufficient. This is an improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio

In this case, moreover, the transmitting-receiving surface of at least one ultrasonic transducer arranged on a first edge of the ultrasonic transducer arrangement and at least one ultrasonic transducer arranged on a second edge of the ultrasonic transducer arrangement is reduced with respect to a respectively adjacent ultrasonic transducer. The size of the transmitting / receiving surface of an ultrasonic wall converter then increases from an ultrasonic transducer arranged on the first and / or second edge of the ultrasonic transducer arrangement to an ultrasonic transducer arranged centrally in the ultrasonic transducer arrangement.

Preferably, one of the respective transmitting-receiving surfaces of the ultrasonic transducer formed common transmitting-receiving surface of the ultrasonic transducer assembly in the form of a polygon, in particular in the form of a hexagon formed. The total oscillator formed by an ultrasonic arrangement is thus e.g. formed as a hexagon, which is arranged twisted on the surface of the common carrier. This has the advantage that, compared to a rectangular geometry of the total oscillator or the common transmitting-receiving surface no broadening of the ultrasonic probe is required, even if the track of the pivot plane of the ultrasonic transducer assembly and the central longitudinal axis of the surface of a non-zero angle γ enclose between them, the ultrasonic transducer assembly is thus arranged twisted on the common surface.

In an alternative embodiment, the common transmitting-receiving surface of the ultrasonic transducer assembly is formed in the form of an oblique parallelogram and the transmitting-receiving surfaces of each ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic transducer assembly are the same size. The individual ultrasonic transducers thus have the same area and are likewise designed as oblique parallelogram, so that the width of the ultrasound transducers remains constant starting from the edge of the ultrasound transducer arrangement toward the center. As a result, the sound pressure for each ultrasound transducer is the same and the overall sound pressure of such an ultrasound transducer arrangement is increased compared to that of a hexagon, without significant losses of the lateral beam divergence occurring. As a result of such an inclination or shear of the entire ultrasound transducer arrangement and of the individual ultrasound transducers, the track of the swiveling plane likewise includes an angle γ with the central longitudinal axis of the surface of the support.

The surface of the common carrier is inclined in a preferred embodiment in the first, vertical direction relative to the coupling surface of the ultrasonic transducer assembly or the ultrasonic probe such that a Einschallwinkel of 17 ° to 50 ° of the transverse wave is achieved in the wheel and the wheel disc. For this purpose, the inclination angle, which includes the coupling surface and the roof surface of the carrier, so the area on which the ultrasonic transducer assembly is arranged between them, selected accordingly. In other words, the angle enclosed by the coupling surface and the roof surface in the vertical direction, that is to say in the running direction, is chosen such that an acoustic angle of 17 ° to 50 ° of the transverse wave is achieved by a time-delayed activation of the ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic transducer arrangement. In addition, the longitudinal wave in an angle range from 0 ° to over 70 ° can be used to extend the Prüfumfangs.

In the second, lateral direction, the surface of the common carrier is inclined in an advantageous embodiment with respect to the coupling surface in a range of 3 ° to 12 °. In other words, the angle between the coupling surface and the roof surface in the lateral direction, ie transverse to the running direction, is between 3 ° and 12 °.

In order to enable a test in V-transmission, the at least two ultrasonic probes are aligned in such an advantageous embodiment to each other that the transmitting-receiving surfaces of the ultrasonic transducer arranged on a first carrier, the first ultrasonic transducer assembly and the transmitting-receiving surfaces of the ultrasonic transducer on a second carrier arranged, second ultrasonic transducer assembly facing each other.

In principle, it is possible that the Surface of the common carrier of a first ultrasonic probe and the surface of the common carrier of a second Ultraschallprüfkopfes in the first, vertical direction and in the second, lateral direction relative to the coupling surface are inclined at slightly different angles. In other words, the roof surfaces of the two beams have different roof angles. In a preferred embodiment, however, the surface of the common carrier of a first ultrasonic probe and the surface of the common carrier of a second ultrasonic probe in both the first, vertical direction and in the second, lateral direction relative to the coupling surface are inclined by the same angle. The first and the second ultrasonic transducer arrangement are therefore arranged in mirror image with respect to one another or with the same vertical and lateral angle of inclination to one another. The sound beam axes of the respectively emitted sound waves consequently intersect in a space existing between the ultrasonic transducer arrangements. The mirror-image arrangement represents a further optimization with regard to the test sensitivity and the test area detection.

The ultrasonic probes are advantageously arranged in a probe head system carrier for alignment. The ultrasonic probes are in the Prüfkopfsystemträger in different test positions aligned with each other and fixed. In the Prüfkopfsystemträger the ultrasonic probes are aligned, for example, in pairs to each other, so that in each case two ultrasonic probes are operated in V-sound transmission. In addition, a pulse-echo test can be performed with each ultrasonic probe. Both in the operation in pulse-echo technique as well as in V-sound transmission, a disc surface of the wheel disc is swept with the sound beam. The geometry of the ultrasound transducer arrangement and of the carrier or its surface causes the entire surface area to be tested of the wheel disc to be swept over with sufficient sensitivity by a variation of the vertical insonification angle and the associated change in the lateral insonification angle.

In order to be able to test the wheel disc both on the outside and on the inside at the same time, e.g. four ultrasonic probes inserted, which are aligned in pairs to each other. The respective opposite disc surface of the wheel disc is covered with the sound beam. Ultrasonic probes positioned on an outer side of the tread of the wheel thus serve for testing the inside of the wheel disc, ultrasound probes arranged on an inner side of the tread for testing the outside. In order to check the extent of testing in the radial direction of the wheel hub as well as e.g. in the vicinity of existing in a wheel existing holes, it is advantageous to use other, serving as an additional receiver ultrasonic probes, so that a sound emitted from a first ultrasonic probe and reflected by existing errors sound beam from multiple ultrasonic probes are detected can.

To control the ultrasound probes and to evaluate the received ultrasound signals, the ultrasound test device advantageously comprises a control and evaluation unit in which software for testing the wheel and the wheel disc is implemented.

The second object is achieved with a method having the features according to claim 13. For non-destructive testing of a wheel and a wheel disc with an ultrasonic test device, which is designed according to the features described above, the ultrasonic probes are acoustically coupled to a running surface of the wheel and the sound beams emitted from the ultrasonic transducer assemblies are electronically tilted so that they enter the wheel and wheel disc at different angles of incidence. A sound beam emitted by a first ultrasonic transducer assembly is received by both the first ultrasonic transducer assembly and a second ultrasonic transducer assembly for testing the wheel and wheel disc. So at least one ultrasonic probe is operated in pulse-echo technology and the at least two ultrasonic probes are oriented to each other such that the ultrasonic tester is operable in V-sound transmission. The wheel or the wheel disc is thus checked consecutively in pulse-echo technique and in V-transmission. As a result, errors oriented in the circumferential direction as well as in the radial direction can be detected. In particular, a disk surface of the wheel disc is swept over both during the test in pulse-echo technique as well as in V-sound transmission with the sound beam testing.

It is advantageous if a sound beam emitted by a first ultrasonic test head or a first ultrasonic transducer arrangement and reflected by existing errors is received by a plurality of ultrasound probes or ultrasound transducer arrangements serving as receivers, ie at least two. Thereby, the test amount in both the radial direction of the wheel hub and, e.g. increased in the vicinity of existing in a wheel holes.

In a preferred embodiment, each ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic transducer assembly is individually controlled. Thus, for each of the ultrasonic transducers, an amplitude and / or pulse shape and / or pulse duration of the ultrasound signal emitted by the ultrasound transducer is determined individually. In other words, the transmission pulse is set individually, so each ultrasonic transducer excited amplitude and time-specific. This allows the sound beam required for a reliable test to be optimized. Likewise, the signal reception gain can be adjusted individually for each ultrasonic transducer.

In order to expand the radial test scope, both the transverse shaft and the respectively complementary longitudinal shaft in an angular range of 0 ° to 70 ° are preferably used for testing the wheel and / or the wheel disc.

The invention will be explained below with regard to further features and advantages with reference to the description of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each shows in a schematic schematic diagram:

1 an ultrasonic testing device with two ultrasonic probes for testing a wheel and a wheel disc,

2a FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an ultrasound probe with an ultrasound transducer arrangement according to a first embodiment, FIG.

2 B FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an ultrasound probe with an ultrasound transducer arrangement according to a second embodiment, FIG.

2c FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an ultrasound probe with an ultrasound transducer arrangement according to a third embodiment, FIG.

3 an ultrasonic probe with an ultrasonic transducer assembly in a plan view,

4 a coupled to a tread ultrasound probe,

5 a probe head system carrier with multiple ultrasonic probes,

6 a partial cross section of a wheel with marked inspection areas.

1 shows an ultrasonic testing device for non-destructive testing of a wheel 2 and a wheel disc 4 with two ultrasonic probes 12 , The ultrasonic probes 12 are in an area in front of a wheel flange 6 of the wheel 2 acoustically to the tread 8th of the wheel 2 coupled. To check the wheel 2 and the wheel disc 4 on existing errors 14a , b are the two ultrasonic probes 12 aligned so that they are operable in both pulse-echo technique and in V-sound transmission. In the test area F tangentially oriented errors 14a become by V-sounding, radially oriented error 14b detected by means of pulse-echo technique. This is one of the first ultrasonic probe 12a or its ultrasonic transducer arrangement 16a emitted sound beam S from both a first ultrasonic transducer assembly 16a of the first ultrasonic probe 12a as well as from a second ultrasonic probe 12b or its ultrasonic transducer arrangement 16b receive.

For controlling the ultrasound probes 12 and for evaluating the received ultrasonic signals, the ultrasonic testing device further comprises a control and evaluation unit 30 , With the control and evaluation unit 30 can any ultrasonic transducer 18 individually controlled.

In 2a . 2 B . 2c and 3 each is an ultrasonic probe 12 the ultrasonic test apparatus shown, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 with several ultrasonic transducers arranged side by side in a row 18 includes. 2a . 2 B and 2c show various embodiments of the ultrasonic testing device in a perspective view, 3 shows a plan view of in 2 B shown embodiment along a on a surface 22 of the carrier 20 perpendicular surface normals.

The ultrasonic transducers 18 each have a transmitting / receiving surface 26 on. The ultrasonic transducers 18 the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 are on a plane 22 same carrier 20 arranged. The area 22 of the carrier 20 is both in a first, vertical direction R _V by an angle α and in a second, lateral direction R _L by an angle β relative to a coupling surface 24 of the ultrasonic probe 12 inclined.

The area 22 of the common carrier 20 is in the first, vertical direction R _V with respect to the coupling surface 24 the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 so inclined that by means of phased array control, so the time-delayed driving the ultrasonic transducer 18 the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 , an insonification angle of the transverse wave of 17 ° to 50 ° in the wheel 2 and the wheel disc 4 is reached. Accordingly, in addition, the respective complementary longitudinal wave, due to the higher refractive index, be used to extend the radial test scope. In the second, lateral direction R _L is the area 22 of the common carrier 20 opposite the coupling surface 24 inclined in a range of 3 ° to 12 °, ie the angle β is between 3 ° and 12 °.

In principle, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 like that on the surface 22 be arranged such that a trace of the pivot plane M _{US of} the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 and a central longitudinal axis M _{F of} the surface 22 parallel to each other or even opaque, since already the geometry of the carrier 20 or the area 22 allows a vertical and a lateral insonification angle. According to 2a is the Ultrasound transducer assembly 16 but so on the surface 22 arranged such that a track of the pivoting plane of the ultrasonic transducer assembly M _{US of} the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 and a central longitudinal axis M _{F of} the surface 22 include a non-zero angle γ between them. In the 2a shown ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 has a common transmit / receive area 36 in the form of a rectangle, as are the transmitting / receiving surfaces 26 the single ultrasonic transducer 18 rectangular shaped. The track of the pivoting plane of the ultrasonic transducer assembly M _US thus extends congruent with a central longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 ,

In 2 B is an ultrasonic probe 12 shown, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 also arranged twisted, that is, such that the track of the pivot plane M _US the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 and the central longitudinal axis M _{F of} the surface 22 include a non-zero angle γ between them. The trace of the pivot plane M _{US of} the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 does not coincide with a central longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic transducer assembly in this case 16 , In addition, the width B of the ultrasonic transducer assembly decreases 16 (S. 3 ) from a central ultrasonic transducer 18 proceeding to a first and / or second edge of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 , In the middle, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 that is, a greater width B ₁ and a reduced width B ₂ at the edge.

Furthermore, the size of the transmitting-receiving area decreases 26 the ultrasonic transducer 18 at the in 2 B and 3 shown embodiment of the edge of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 proceeding to the central ultrasonic transducer 18 added. The respectively adjacent ultrasonic transducer 18 thus has a larger transmission / reception area 26 on than the edge of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 oriented ultrasonic transducers 18 , wherein in the middle of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 arranged ultrasonic transducer 18 the largest transmission / reception area 26 has.

One of the respective transmitting-receiving surfaces 26 the ultrasonic transducer 18 formed common transmitting-receiving surface 36 the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 is designed in the shape of an oblique hexagon, so no broadening of the ultrasonic probe 12 or the carrier 20 even with an angle γ twisted arranged ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 required and thus a good coupling to the tread 8th the wheel is guaranteed.

At the in 2c the embodiment shown is the common transmitting-receiving surface 36 the ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 formed in the form of an oblique parallelogram. The ultrasonic transducer assembly 16 thus has the same width B over its entire length, B ₁ is therefore equal to B ₂ . The send / receive areas 26 the single ultrasonic transducer 18 have the same size and also the shape of an oblique parallelogram. The track of the pivot plane M _US is here also at an angle γ with respect to the central longitudinal axis M _{F of} the surface 22 twisted.

To check the wheel 2 and the wheel disc 4 become the ultrasonic probes 12 acoustically to the tread 8th of the wheel 2 coupled and emitted by the ultrasonic transducer assemblies sound beams S are in a Einschallebene 34 electronically swiveled by an insonification angle φ, as in 4 is shown. The area 22 of the carrier 20 is relative to the running direction R in the first, vertical direction R _V and in a second, lateral direction R _L , ie transversely to the running direction, relative to the coupling surface 24 and thus opposite the tread 8th or the tread tangent plane 32 inclined to the wheel.

5 shows an ultrasonic tester with multiple ultrasonic probes 12 in a test head system carrier 28 are arranged. For clarity, the ultrasonic probes are 12a , b, c in 5 shown only schematically, which are designed according to the invention and, for example, also one of the embodiments according to the 2a . 2 B or 2c can correspond. The ultrasonic probes 12a and the ultrasonic probes 12b are aligned with each other so that they are preferably arranged in pairs mirror images of each other. The first pair of ultrasonic probes 12a , b will be on the tread of the wheel 2 positioned outside and checks the inner area of the wheel disc 4 in V-sound on tangentially oriented errors 14a , The second pair of ultrasonic probes 12a , b is used to test the outer area of the wheel disc 4 on the tread of the wheel 2 positioned inside and for detecting tangentially oriented errors 14a on the outside of the wheel 2 operated in V-transmission. In each case, the opposite disc surface of the wheel disc with the sound beam S is swept over. Thus, the in 6 Test area marked "F" should be fully tested.

For the detection of radially oriented errors 14b become the ultrasonic probes 12a , b, additionally operated in pulse-echo technology. Again, the respective opposite disc surface of the wheel disc is swept with the sound beam S. This requires the positioning of the ultrasonic probes 12a , b, namely on the outside or inside of the tread for the examination of internal or external faults existing, not be changed compared to the operation in V-sound transmission.

To extend the detectable test area are two more ultrasonic probes 12c in the test head system carrier 28 arranged, each as an additional receiver of the ultrasonic probe 12a emitted sound beam S serve. These optional ultrasonic probes 12c are in 5 indicated by dashed lines. The associated ultrasonic transducer assemblies 16c are also on a vertically and laterally inclined surface of a common carrier 20c arranged.

In the test head system carrier 28 In addition, two more ultrasonic probes 13a be arranged, each having an ultrasonic transducer assembly 17a with several ultrasonic transducers arranged side by side in a row 18 include. The ultrasonic transducer assemblies 17a or their ultrasonic transducer 18 are transverse to the direction of the wheel 4 oriented, so that the sound beam can be swiveled transversely to the direction. With the ultrasonic probes 13a can the transition area "E" between wheel rim and wheel disc 4 check.

For testing the running surface and the wheel rim (test areas "A, K") at least three further ultrasonic probes can be used 13b in the test head system carrier 28 be provided, wherein the emitted of these sound beam S with an insonification angle of 0 ° in the wheel 2 , for detecting tangentially oriented error under the tread, is sounded.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

 wheel

4

 wheel disc

6

 flange

8th

 tread

10

 wheel hub

12a, b, c

 Ultrasound probe

13a, b

 Ultrasound probe

14a, b

 error

16a, b, c

 Ultrasound transducer assembly

17a

 Ultrasound transducer assembly

18

 ultrasound transducer

20a, b c

 carrier

22a, b, c

 area

24

 coupling surface

26

 Transmission / reception area

28

 Prüfkopfsystemträger

30

 Control and evaluation unit

32

 Tread tangential plane

34

 Einschallebene

36

 common transmission / reception area

α

 Angle coupling surface - roof surface in vertical direction

β

 Angle Coupling surface - Roof surface in lateral direction

γ

Angle between track of the pivot plane M _{US of} the ultrasonic transducer assembly and the central longitudinal axis M _{F of} the surface 22

φ

 beam angle

R _V

 first, vertical direction

R _L

 second, lateral direction

M _US

 Trace of the pivot plane of the ultrasonic transducer assembly

M _F

 Center longitudinal axis of the area

B ₁ , B ₂

 width

S

 supersonic jet

A, K, E, F

 testing areas

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 19943215 C2 [0003]
• DE 19833027 C1 [0004]
• EP 0133942 B1 [0005]
• DE 19834587 C1 [0006]

Claims (17)

Ultrasonic testing device for nondestructive testing of a wheel ( 2 ) and / or a wheel disc ( 4 ), with at least two ultrasonic probes ( 12a , b), each of the ultrasonic probes ( 12a , b) an ultrasonic transducer assembly ( 16a , b) having a plurality of in a row next to each other, each one transmitting / receiving surface ( 26 ) having ultrasonic transducers ( 18 ) located on a surface ( 22 ) of a common carrier ( 20a , b) are arranged, the area ( 22 ) of each carrier ( 20a , b) in a first, vertical direction (R _V ) and in a second, lateral direction (R _L ) with respect to a coupling surface ( 24 ) and wherein the at least two ultrasonic probes ( 12a , b) are aligned with each other so that they are operable in both pulse-echo technique as well as in V-sound transmission. Ultrasonic testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic transducer assembly ( 16a , b) in such a way on the surface ( 22 ) is arranged such that a track of the pivot plane (M _US ) of the ultrasonic transducer assembly ( 16a , b) and a central longitudinal axis (M _F ) of the surface ( 22 ) include a non-zero angle (γ) between them. Ultrasonic testing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a width (B ₁ , B ₂ ) of the ultrasonic transducer arrangement ( 16a , b) from a central ultrasound transducer ( 18 ) proceeding to a first and / or second edge of the ultrasonic transducer assembly ( 16a , b) reduced. Ultrasonic testing apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the respective transmitting-receiving surfaces ( 26 ) the ultrasonic transducer ( 18 ) formed common transmitting-receiving surface ( 36 ) of the ultrasonic transducer assembly ( 16a , b) is in the form of a polygon. Ultrasonic testing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the common transmitting-receiving surface ( 36 ) of the ultrasonic transducer assembly ( 16a , b) is in the form of a hexagon. Ultrasonic testing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the common transmitting-receiving surface ( 36 ) of the ultrasonic transducer assembly ( 16a , b) in the form of an oblique parallelogram and the transmitting / receiving surfaces ( 26 ) of each ultrasonic transducer ( 18 ) of the ultrasonic transducer assembly ( 16a , b) are the same size. Ultrasonic testing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface ( 22 ) of the common carrier ( 20a , b) in the first, vertical direction (R _V ) with respect to the coupling surface ( 24 ) of the ultrasonic transducer assembly ( 16a , b) is inclined in such a way that by specific control an insonification angle (φ) of the transverse wave of 17 to 50 ° in the wheel ( 2 ) and the wheel disc ( 4 ) is achieved. Ultrasonic testing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface ( 22 ) of the common carrier ( 20a , b) in the second, lateral direction (R _V ) with respect to the coupling surface ( 24 ) is inclined at an angle (β) in a range of 3 ° to 12 °. Ultrasonic testing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two ultrasonic probes ( 12a , b, c) are aligned with each other in such a way that the transmitting-receiving surfaces ( 26 ) the ultrasonic transducer ( 18 ) one on a first carrier ( 20a ), the first ultrasonic transducer assembly ( 16a ) and the transmitting-receiving surfaces ( 26 ) the ultrasonic transducer ( 18 ) one on a second carrier ( 20b , c) arranged, second ultrasonic transducer assembly ( 16b , c) facing each other. Ultrasonic testing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the surface ( 22 ) of the common carrier ( 20a ) of a first ultrasonic probe ( 12a ) and the area ( 22 ) of the common carrier ( 20b ) of a second ultrasonic probe ( 12b ) in both the first, vertical direction (R _V ) and in the second, lateral direction (R _L ) relative to the coupling surface by the same angle (α, β) are inclined. Ultrasonic testing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two ultrasonic probes ( 12a , b) in a test head system carrier ( 28 ) are arranged. Ultrasonic testing device according to one of the preceding claims, having a control and evaluation unit ( 30 ) for controlling the ultrasound probes ( 12a , b) and for evaluating the received ultrasonic signals. Method for nondestructive testing of a wheel ( 2 ) and / or a wheel disc ( 4 ) with an ultrasonic testing device according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which the ultrasonic probes ( 12a , b) acoustically to a tread ( 8th ) of the wheel ( 2 ) and that of the ultrasonic transducer assemblies ( 16a , b) emitted sound beams (S) are pivoted electronically, wherein one of a first ultrasonic transducer assembly ( 16a ) emitted sound beam (S) from both the first ultrasonic transducer assembly ( 16a ) as well as a second ultrasonic transducer assembly ( 16b ) Will be received. The method of claim 13, wherein one of a first ultrasonic transducer assembly ( 16a ) emitted sound beam (S) of at least two others Ultrasonic transducer arrangements ( 16b , c) is received. Method according to one of claims 13 or 14, wherein each ultrasonic transducer ( 18 ) of the ultrasonic transducer assembly ( 16a , b, c) is controlled individually with an amplitude and / or pulse shape and / or pulse duration. Method according to one of claims 13 to 15, wherein a disc surface of the wheel disc ( 4 ) is swept over by the sound beam (S). Method according to one of Claims 13 to 16, in which, for testing the wheel ( 2 ) and / or the wheel disc ( 4 ) Both the transverse wave and the longitudinal wave are used.

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