Design and optimization of a multifunctional phased array search unit

Dual-element angle beam transducers exhibit operating characteristics suitable for alarge range of practical field applications, particularly for the interrogation of highly attenuative materials such as stainless steel. This study describes the design and optimization of a multi-mode T/R (transmit/receive) phase array search unit generation longitudinal (RL), shear and subsurface longitudinal (OD creeping) waves. Based on the well-known physical processes inherent to ultrasound genertation in isotropic media, the Generalized Point-Source-Synthesis method (GPSS) has been used to model and optimize the probe. The established search unit parameters consist of wedge angle, transducer element length and width by given search unit housing dimension and a fixed inspection frequency