Selection of PAUT probes for submarine pressure hull integrity assessment

Abstract

Submarine pressure hulls must withstand high hydraulic pressure and be free of defects. To improve the precision of defect detection, we herein examined different probes for optimal defect assessment by applying the Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) method. Two sets of probe design parameters were selected by considering pressure hull characteristics and analyzed through modeling. PAUT probes were applied, and defect assessment results were compared based on ultrasonic signals of various simulated defects in specimens designed to be the same as actual pressure hulls. The final selected design parameters for the submarine probe, which were designed to minimize the grating lobe of wave interference effect and improve the ultrasonic resolution of pressure hull welds, were identified through the experiment. The improvement in the probe's ability to detect defects in a pressure hull was verified. Furthermore, the accuracy of defect length measurement was improved, enhancing the applicability of the technique.